Justin Thomas playfully teased his good friend and fellow golfer Max Homa in his Instagram comments after Homa finished 5th at the John Deere Classic.
Justin Thomas roasted Max Homa online
Max Homa has struggled throughout the 2025 PGA Tour season, with seven missed cuts and a drop in his world ranking from No. 5 to No. 98. The 34-year-old Californian has been seeking answers and achieved his top finish of the season at the John Deere Classic, yet the effort wasn’t enough to win the tournament or dodge a roast from good friend and fellow golfer Justin Thomas.
Homa finished in T5, his best result since the Masters, where he placed T12 in his sixth appearance. He shot a 284, four shots under par, and personally witnessed Rory McIlroy achieve a career Grand Slam with his victory.
Homa uploaded a series of three photos reflecting on his 753,000 followers. “Disappointing finish but huge thanks to the John Deere Classic for an amazing week,” he wrote. “The fans were unbelievable! I think I lost 15 pounds of water weight, so I’m thankful for that as well.”
Thomas was one of many followers of Homa’s account who replied, ‘Good. You needed it, tubby.’ Homa responded playfully, saying, ‘Thanks for holding me accountable.’ The event at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL, saw temperatures of 91 degrees Fahrenheit for three days straight before cooling to 86 degrees for Sunday’s final round.
Brian Campbell defeated Emiliano Grillo during a one-hole playoff to win his second PGA Tour title.
The internet discussed whether Thomas’ remark was playful or mean-spirited, despite their publicly known friendship that started during their time on the Korn Ferry Tour. Golf fans already knew the dig was just vintage JT and Max, two longtime friends whose relationship is built on banter.
When they took an African safari trip together, Homa criticized Thomas for not having a college degree in 2023.
Thomas and Homa are known as good friends
Homa won the 2014 BMW Charity Pro-Am and the 2016 Rust-Oleum Championship. Thomas won the 2014 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Thomas didn’t participate in the John Deere Classic but has had a better season statistically than his good friend. He earned seven top-ten finishes this season, including runner-up during the American Express tournament in January and the Valspar Championship in March.
Thomas hired Joe Greiner, Homa’s former caddie. Homa’s decision to part ways with Greiner was emotional but necessary after stagnant results proved that a fresh start was needed. The split followed a T60 at the PGA Championship and missed cuts at Phoenix, Genesis, and Bay Hill.
Homa’s 2025 season started with a T26 finish at The Sentry. Then he withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open after an opening-round 77 and a second-round 62. He failed to qualify for the U.S. Open and is ranked No. 28 in the Team USA Ryder Cup standings, compared to Thomas, who is currently among the top six eligible players to make the team for the event