Over the years, golfers wearing jerseys from other sports has become a common sight at the WM Phoenix Open’s 16th hole. In 2020, multiple golfers paid respect to the late Kobe Bryant. Before this year, Jon Rahm often wore an Arizona State jersey to rep his alma matter.
On Friday, Max Homa added to the tradition. This time, it was the result of a bet.
After the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves in the 2020 National League Championship Series, Homa took over JT Poston’s Twitter account for a day. The two teams faced off again at the same stage last year so Homa and Poston made another wager.
Because the Braves won Round 2, there was Homa on Friday afternoon, walking down the 16th fairway wearing a white Braves jersey with “Poston” on the back.
“No animosity towards the Braves,” Homa said, laughing. “Now I have animosity towards JT Poston.”
.@MaxHoma23 followed through. 🤝 https://t.co/9xHO2vw20K pic.twitter.com/KkT5fvImz0
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 12, 2022
Despite coming four months after the NLCS wrapped up, the longtime friends chose the Phoenix Open as the stage for their bet because of its trademark crowds.
“It’s the best crowd we get,” Homa said. “16 is the best amphitheater we get so it’s the perfect spot to do it.”
Over the years, Homa has seen the fan support surrounding him grow. He’s cultivated a significant Twitter following with a unique online presence that’s most notably defined by his witty critiques of amateur golfers who send him videos of their swings.
In Phoenix, that popularity is especially pronounced due to the fan-centric nature of the tournament.
“When people are cheering for you and giving you support, it makes each day fly by and every hole is exciting,” Homa, who finished the day in a tie for 5th at 8 under, said.
At the 16th hole, though, fan support was distinctly in Poston’s favor. As Homa cleaned up his par wearing the Braves jersey, fans in the greenside stands did the Braves’ signature Tomahawk chop.
“I had to wear that ugly jersey, everyone did the chop, it was awful,” Homa said.
Afterward, he signed the jersey and wrote “Go Dodgers” on it before tossing it into the stands, leaving one fan with a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
On his way to the 17th hole, Homa stopped and said some words that he “cannot repeat” to Poston. That, though, won’t be the last time the two speak this week.
Separated by just one shot on the leaderboard, they’re paired together Saturday.
