Justin Thomas and Max Homa are preparing for The Open Championship in very different ways.
Thomas is taking the more traditional route. He’s reacclimatising to links golf by playing the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, testing his skills across the pond to gear up for Royal Birkdale.
But Homa, who didn’t know that he was in the Open Championship field until earlier this week, is still in the States. He’s playing in the ISCO Championship after a runner-up finish at last week’s John Deere.
Playing in the Scottish Open is widely regarded as the best way to get ready for The Open. It’s a tried-and-tested schedule used by many former champions. But according to Homa, Thomas wishes he were still at home.
Justin Thomas told Max Homa he was jealous of him playing the ISCO
Thomas is a Kentucky native, so the ISCO Championship is a home event for the American. It’s a tournament he’s incredibly fond of, and according to Homa, it’s one the two-time major winner would far rather be playing than the Scottish Open.
Homa revealed what Thomas had been texting him after his opening round at the ISCO. He said, “Yeah, it’s awesome. We’re staying downtown, it’s been a blast. I’ve gotten to see a lot of this place now over the course of a few trips. It’s just great. The golf course is phenomenal. Sad it’s gotten so much rain.
“But yeah, been texting with Justin Thomas, who’s from here, and he’s like jealous that we’re here and I’m laughing because it’s 12,000 degrees and he’s in a short sleeve in Scotland.
“So that’s kind of the energy we’ve got over here, just I think that kind of people put their roots are here and they have that kind of communal feeling. It just feels like everyone was rallying for everyone today, which is cool.”
It’s nothing against the Scottish Open, but the ISCO is an event that means a lot to Thomas. It’s just a shame how the schedule fell for him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
