Blake Snell returns to Tropicana Field for first time as a visiting player with Giants
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Max Homa figures if he can conquer the mental task of playing well in a group with Tiger Woods for 36 holes at the Masters, he can accomplish pretty much anything in golf.
That includes winning his first major championship.
Homa was at 6 under midway through the tournament and in contention heading into Saturday’s third round at Augusta National.
The 33-year-old Homa is no stranger to winning. He has six PGA Tour victories and another on the European tour. He’s ranked 11th in the world.
But his resume in majors is a little thin.
His best finish is a tie for 10th last year at the British Open, where he never had a realistic chance of winning. This is the first time he’s ever been in the top five after a round at a major.
If he can maintain his form for another 36 holes, he could win his first major and elevate his standing in the game.
“I feel like I showed a bit of moxie the last couple days, especially yesterday the first few holes playing with Tiger in front of a lot of people at the Masters,” Homa said after his second-round 71 on Friday. “And I played some great golf. So I know I have that one in me. I’d like to see if I have the mental discipline for a whole week.”
The cerebral, introspective Homa, who has taken to writing daily in his journal, is trying not to get caught up in the moment.
He’s been thinking this week about the movie “Hoosiers,” in which basketball coach Norman Dale, played by Gene Hackman, has his starstruck small-town players measure the height of the basket at the large arena that’s hosting the state championship. The point is to illustrate that while the venue might be bigger, the game is the same.
“The hole is the same size,” Homa pointed out.
Homa isn’t the only player seeking a life-changing victory.
He was among four players within striking distance of the lead who were chasing their first major championship.
Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard was 4 under, Australia’s Cameron Davis was 3 under and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg was 2 under. Whether any of them can win on golf ’s biggest stage remains uncertain.
Aberg is in a unique situation.
He’s trying to become the first Masters rookie to win since Fuzzy Zoeller did it 45 years ago.
He’s relying heavily on veteran caddie Joe Skovron to help him navigate Augusta, all while trying to relish the opportunity to play in the Masters. Aberg, who turned pro last spring after a standout college career at Texas Tech, is playing in his first major.
“Once you’re over the ball, once you’re making the decisions of what you want to do, that’s when you’re in tournament mode,” Aberg said. “Once you’re done with that, it’s back to soaking it in and try to enjoy the walk as much as I can.”
Davis brought his wife, parents, brother, aunts and uncles to Augusta. He said he’s not paying attention to the scoreboard, but said they sure are.
Others in the hunt for their first major include Xander Schauffele, a perpetual bridesmaid in golf ’s top four tournaments who has finished third or better at the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open, along with a top 10 at the PGA Championship.
Cameron Young and Tommy Fleetwood, each ranked within the top 14 in the world, are also hanging around.
“Tomorrow will be different than a regular tour event,” Homa said.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Blake Snell returned to Tropicana Field for the first time as a visiting player and took notice of the familiar surroundings, especially the place that stood out most.
“The barber shop,” the San Francisco Giants pitcher said with a smile Friday. “A lot of new additions. It’s just cool to see how the years have gone and what’s new. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
The 31-year-old left-hander signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011, made it to the major leagues in 2016 and was traded to San Diego after the 2020 season. The two-time Cy Young Award winner became a free agent last fall and signed a $62 million, two-year contract with the Giants, a deal that allows him to opt out after this season.
“A lot of the same coaches are here, which is good,” Snell said. “Some minor league coaches that I had are in the big leagues, so that’s amazing to see. But looking back, I’m really thankful for those years and how much energy all those coaches put into me to help me do it. Yeah, just very thankful.”
Snell won his first Cy Young with the Rays in 2018, when he went 21-5, and made a pair of 2020 World Series starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Snell’s time with Tampa Bay ended two months after he was was removed with a 1-0 lead in Game 6 and the Dodgers rallied for a title-winning 3-1 victory.
He made his Giants debut Monday and allowed three runs over three innings in an 8-1 loss to Washington and is scheduled to start against the Rays on Sunday.
“I was raised through the system,” Snell said. “So when I got here, there was so much love and care for me and attention to me that made this place feel like home. So I’m excited to see what it feels like Sunday.”
Snell said a highlight of Sunday’s game is a chance to pitch in front of Rays manager Kevin Cash and pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who both played pivotal roles in his development.
“It’s good to see him, give him a handshake and a hug,” Cash said. “When you develop a guy there’s a lot of relationships created with that and I certainly value mine with him. I know he’s really close with Kyle, he’s close with some of these teammates here. It’ll be exciting to see him get out there.”
Snell has faced the Rays once, allowing two hits and striking 12 over six shutout innings in San Diego last June 17.
“I hope the pitch limit that he has is lower than maybe what he wants because we know how good of a pitcher he is,” Cash said.