PGA Tour journeyman Max Homa fought back tears during emotional interview after his incredible win at the Genesis Invitational

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PGA Tour journeyman Max Homa fought back tears during emotional interview after his incredible win at the Genesis Invitational
Max Homa.Harry How/Getty Images
  • Max Homa won the Genesis Invitational on Sunday after a playoff with Tony Finau.
  • Homa missed a chance to win the tournament with a three-foot putt on the 18th green.
  • Homa gave an emotional interview, saying that the tournament was where he fell in love with golf.
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Max Homa delivered a spectacular performance over the weekend at Riviera to win the Genesis Invitational in dramatic fashion.

Heading into the 72nd hole of the tournament, Homa was tied for the lead with Tony Finau and could take home the win with a birdie. After a brilliant second shot, Homa was left with a nervy three-footer for birdie and the tournament but pushed it.

Tied after 72 holes, Homa and Finau headed to a sudden-death playoff. On the first playoff hole, it looked as though Homa's hope of winning the tournament vanished after his tee shot left him nearly snookered against a tree.

But despite the poor location, Homa was able to scoop around the ball and shovel himself into position on the green, saving par and forcing a second playoff hole.

Homa won the tournament on the next playoff hole, taking home the second PGA Tour win of his career.

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After the win, Homa was emotional in his post-round interview.

"It didn't hit me until just now," Homa said, fighting back tears. "I've been watching this tournament my whole life. It's why I fell in love with golf."

"City of champions. Dodgers, Lakers, and me now. It's a weird feeling."

Homa grew up attending the PGA Tour's tournaments at Riviera and joked on Twitter that after years of attempting to connect with Tiger Woods as a fan, he was now set to receive a trophy from him as a player.

A year ago, Homa described the intense emotion he felt playing at Riviera on his podcast "Get a Grip with Max Homa and Shane Bacon." In 2020, Home finished tied for fifth, three strokes behind winner Adam Scott.

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"This was the first event I ever had where I wanted it maybe too much," Homa said of his performance that year. "It was the first time I ever finished an event, and my brain was scrambled. It was all of the emotions."

One year later, Homa was the winner of the tournament he wanted too much, shaking off what could have been a back-breaking missed putt to take home the trophy and the $1.6 million top prize that came with it.

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