21 August 2023 , 12:36
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Max Homa has hit back at a fan who heckled him during the third round of the BMW Championship on Saturday, labelling the spectator in question a 'loser'.
Homa secured an impressive top five finish at Olympia Fields, to book him a spot in this week's FedEx Cup finale, the Tour Championship. In the staggered stroke format, the American star will start six shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler, as he chases down his first FedEx Cup title.
His performance at the BMW Championship continued his fine run of form heading into the final event of the campaign, having secured three top-10 finishes in his last three tournaments.
It was not all plain sailing for Homa in Chicago though, as the 32-year-old was forced to deal with a heckling fan when on the 17th hole in his third round of the event.
As the American pulled back his putter over a five-foot birdie putt, the fan in question called on him to 'pull' his attempt. Fortunately for Homa, he was not putt off by the distraction, rolling in his effort for his fourth birdie of the day.
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The PGA Tour star's playing partner Chris Kirk was also subject to abuse, after he saw his attempt on the 17th green come up short. Hitting back at the heckler, Homa said: "There was a probably drunk — I hope, for his case, or else he's just the biggest loser there is — but he was cheering and yelling at Chris for missing his putt short."
Max Homa was putting at the time (AP)It turns out the heckle centred around the fan in question having a $3 wager on Homa to miss. "It's just always something [heckling] that's on your mind," he added. "It's on us to stay focused or whatever, but it's just annoying when it happens...
"Fans are so great about being quiet when we play. I think they are awesome. When anybody ever talks, it's so unintentional. It just sucks when it's incredibly intentional, and his friend specifically said it was for $3.
"Not that money matters, but that's a frustrating number." Moments after sinking his putt, Homa was quick to hit back at the fan in question, along with his caddie Joe Greiner.
"I just started yelling at him, and then Joe [Greiner] yelled at him. I love that people can gamble on golf, but that is the one thing I’m worried about. I don’t know what he had to lose. He got kicked out probably, and we were the last group.”