At the ongoing Baycurrent Classic, Max Homa reminded us of an athlete who embodies the mindset he carries when entering a golf course; he reminds us of the legacy of a basketball legend. During his round 2 at the Yokohama Country Club, Max Homa made an incredible birdie from the bunker on the 13th hole of Round 2. He later posted an Instagram story simply referencing the basketball legend.

For many, his Instagram story might just seem like a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, but for Max Homa, it’s more than that as he bounces back at this $8M PGA Tour Event. The story simply contained a clip of a hole out by Homa with the words “Kobe” written towards the top of the clip. In 2023, after Max won the Farmers Insurance Open, he spoke at length on Kobe Bryant and what he meant to him, as he recalled how he got the news of Kobe Bryant’s passing during the same tournament 3 years earlier. 

“This is the golf tournament where we found out he had passed away tragically,” Homa reflected then. “I think about Kobe Bryant a lot… That just tenacity that everyone around you might be oohing and ahhing, and you know what’s about to happen, and you kind of just stand up there and say I’m going to show you what guts are right now.”

Max Homa then went on to reflect on how he didn’t just get inspired by Kobe’s talent but the work ethic of Kobe behind the scenes, putting in the hours so that when the spotlight came, he could “just let it happen.”

He also revealed how the Mamba Mentality has been an inspiration for him and his play, and reflects on how he approaches the golf course. “I’ve always had a bit of a chip on my shoulder and grew up as a huge Kobe Bryant fan. He just seemed to play basketball like that, and I’ve always loved trying to play golf like that and work at it like that. So when I get in these moments, I feel like all of it combined eases me a bit,” he added.

This is reflected in his performance at the Baycurrent Classic. Max Homa started struggling in the tournament’s round one, where he bogeyed a par 4 on hole 19. He struggled to find form as he bogeyed the following holes and 7. His struggles didn’t end there as he finished the day with a double bogey on hole 9, ending his round one with a +2 on par.

In the second round, Max couldn’t find his form as he started with a bogey on the first hole of the day. But he channeled his inner Kobe Bryant and the mentality that Kobe represented as Homa found his form and birdied 5 of his next 17 holes, ending up with a scorecard of -4, where he made the cut. 

This turnaround felt more like more than just a technical adjustment; it was a mental reset, just like Kobe Bryant was known for when he came back from bad slumps.

His bunker birdie at hole 13 wasn’t just a highlight reel shot for Homa, but it was a shot that shifted the momentum, where he trusted his training and determination to carry him throughout the tournament. Each putt and recovery shot reflected the same quiet resolve he once admired in Bryant — the ability to stay locked in, no matter the noise or pressure.

Beyond Inspiration — Homa’s Mamba Mentality in Action

Homa’s admiration for Kobe runs deep, but when it comes to following the work ethic and the determination that Kobe had, not everybody could match it. Even Homa himself admitted that it was not his cup of tea, as he humorously admitted it on X during the offseason. 

“First day of the off-season at home, and I woke up at 4 am. I’ve read so many stories like this about Kobe and his dedication when no one was watching, and he had every excuse to take a break. It’s one of many things I admired about him. I scrolled on my phone for 2 hours,” was what he posted. 

Homa joked, capturing both his respect for Kobe’s dedication and an honest reflection of his own everyday battles with consistency. But like Kobe, Max in the Baycurrent Classic after his tough first round didn’t chase perfection, he chased composure as he reset his mind and trusted his prep. His bunker birdie on the 13th hole wasn’t just a recovery shot—it was a statement of belief, the same kind of gutsy resolve he once credited to Bryant.

His 5 birdies in 17 holes weren’t just swing adjustment or luck; it was a mental turnaround. Homa may laugh at his 4 A.M distractions on X, but when the moment demands it, he shows up with the same spirit Kobe embodied—locked in, unshaken, and ready to let the work speak for itself.