Max Homa Makes The World Smile

Just days before the coronavirus pandemic slapped the door closed on the United States, Max Homa sat in a chair inside the champions section of the Quail Hollow Club locker room, being fussed over by a stylist, a lighting director and others intent on shooting commercials and videos featuring the defending champion of the Wells Fargo Championship.

A hanger full of shirts with a steamer to iron out wrinkles stood just outside camera range and a spray of make-up brushes were laid across a long wooden bar as Homa looked into the camera. Just over his shoulder was his new locker, near ones for Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and others.

Running through his lines again, the director encouraged Homa to smile as he talked. After calling “cut” after another take, the director said to Homa, “I love how you were smiling.”

“I smiled so well,” Homa said drolly.

While waiting for the lights to be adjusted, Homa engaged the crew.

“Does that feel natural to you?” a crew member asked.

“I don’t think any of this feels na...