GREER, S.C. (AP) — Max Homa won the BMW Charity Pro-Am on Sunday for his first Web.Com Tour title, closing with an 8-under 63 at Thornblade Club for a one-stroke victory over Jonathan Randolph.
Homa, the NCAA individual medalist last year for California, finished at 20-under 266 in the three-course event and earned $117,000 to jump from 64th to ninth on the money list with $142,155.
“It’s surreal. It’s emotional,” Homa said. “I didn’t win a lot in college and to come out and do it quickly means a lot to me and gives me a lot of confidence for wherever I may wind up at the end of the year.”
Homa turned professional last year after the helping the United States win the Walker Cup. He eagled the par-5 second hole and had six birdies in his bogey-free round.
“This course fit my eye better than the others for some reason,” Homa said. “It was a huge start. It really set the tone because I didn’t have to play catch-up too much. It really calmed my nerves. I knew I had to keep my emotions in check.”
Randolph also finished with a 63.
Blayne Barber, coming off a victory two weeks ago in the South Georgia Classic, tied for third with Jon Curran and Kyle Reifers. Barber had a 67, and Curran and Reifers shot 66.
Homa and celebrity partner Janet Jones-Gretzky tied for ninth in the pro-am portion of the event at 35 under. Canadian pro Adam Hadwin and hockey great Wayne Gretzky won at 44 under.
“She was so nice and it was cool playing with her,” Homa said about Jones-Gretzky. “It was fun to compete with her. It was great playing with someone so famous because I got to fly under the radar while she was getting all of the attention from the television cameras and fans.”
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