Max Homa, expressing mild surprise, shares the first-round lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa after an extended hiatus from golf. Following his longest break and a period spent on safari, Homa initially harbored concerns about the state of his game as he approached the prestigious event.
However, those concerns proved unfounded as Homa showcased his prowess on the course. He sealed a remarkable 6-under 66 by sinking a 16-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, securing a shared lead with golf contemporaries Nicolai Hojgaard, Dan Bradbury, and Vincent Norrman at the Gary Player Golf and Country Club in Sun City.
Despite facing a shortened preparation due to rain wiping out a practice round on Tuesday, Homa delivered a bogey-free performance, demonstrating a level of comfort on a course he was not entirely familiar with. The impressive performance marks a successful return to competitive golf for Max Homa, setting the stage for a compelling next-to-last event of the European tour season.