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‘Embrace the Craziness’: Years After Kobe Bryant’s Tragic Demise, Max Homa Subtly Thanks NBA Legend for His ‘Craft’

Published 02/14/2023, 3:02 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Max Homa of late has been one of the most talked about players in the golf world. His win late last month was his sixth PGA Tour victory, and it catapulted him into the spotlight for many. From commentators stating that he will soon be the next best thing in the golf world to fans chanting praises for him at events, he’s certainly garnered a lot of attention of late. But where does the star himself draw inspiration from? Well, from another athlete, the NBA great Kobe Bryant.

Max Homa draws inspiration from the NBA legend

Soon after his win at the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of January last month, Homa had a chat with Golf Digest. They discussed many things, from his recently becoming a father to his excitement about the win. And his admiration of Kobe was one of those things.

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USA Today via Reuters

Kobe had been on everyone’s mind that week since it was close to his 3-year death anniversary. “I actually thought about it, [of] him a little bit throughout the day,” stated Homa. “This is the golf tournament where we found out [in 2020] he had passed away tragically.” Despite having won, the golf pro was certainly saddened by the unfortunate death.

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But he also admired Bryant a lot. “I learned from Kobe Bryant’s teachings and watching him work at his craft back in the day,” he stated, recalling how he followed the NBA star religiously. “He puts in all these hours behind the scenes so that when he’s on camera doing his thing, he can just let it happen.”

Homa leans on Bryant’s past

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The 6-time PGA Tour winner added that he just wanted to accomplish what Kobe already had. “I try to take that with me, and I try to embrace the craziness and the pressure and all of that,” he stated. He wanted to work hard and let the results speak for themselves, just like the 5-time NBA champion.

USA Today via Reuters

Well, his hard work certainly paid off this time. He won the Farmers Insurance Open by two strokes on the 28th of January. And he certainly credits Kobe for inspiring him to do so. Homa also undoubtedly hopes he can take what he’s learned from the late NBA start and continue it.

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What did you think of Homa’s sixth Tour win? And will he perhaps follow Kobe’s principles to win a few more this year on Tour, and maybe even a major? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Sheldon Pereira

691Articles

One take at a time

Sheldon is a golf writer at EssentiallySports. He is a business graduate from Christ University with a degree in Finance and Accounting. He also has experience as a Senior Audit Associate at an MNC, but his love for writing drove him towards his dream, and he switched careers.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai

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