One Ryder Cup performance can catapult someone to glory or shove someone into oblivion. Riding on the strong winds of his heroics at Marco Simone, Max Homa finds himself on the former side. Winning 3.5 points for his team, Homa’s biggest moment came when he putted the 18 hole for par against Matt Fitzpatrick in the Sunday Singles.

Fans have wondered what was going on in his mind when he took the huge decision of conceding a one-stroke penalty on account of the lie of the ball, which was quite bad. It was a moment that could have gone either way, making him the hero or the villain in USA fans’ eyes. The American golfer recently spoke about it and mentioned a Brooks Koepka comment that stayed in the back of his mind all week.

Max Homa thought for a ‘week’ about Brooks Koepka’s honest confession

Max Homa recently sat down with the “No Laying Up” podcast. The discussion on the Ryder Cup obviously veered toward that putt on the 18 hole that saved USA from a greater embarrassment. More than the technical brilliance, Homa’s winning mentality at the tense moment became the talking point. The six-time-PGA-Tour winner referred to one Brooks Koepka confession that resonated with him the most.

During a press conference, the LIV-golfer was asked if it boils down to one putt to win the cup, how many players will be up for it? How many players know that they can soak up the pressure and perform at their best? Koepka answered in his trademark, no BS style. “Very few. False confidence, I think.”

“I thought about it all week,” confessed Homa while recapitulating on the pressure-putt situation. He believes these are the moments that separate the ‘great’ from the ‘good’. For the greats, like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, these are the moments they shine at their brightest. “I respect so much of what Brooks does in those majors and obviously Tiger and like my favorite athlete ever, Kobe [Bryant], like clearly that’s in their DNA, they want that win-or-lose moment.”

By his own admission, the most unusual thing about that putt was it was not done to win the cup but to ‘not lose’ it. That was certainly not the dream of a Ryder Cup rookie. Homa confessed, his legs were shaking. “ I couldn’t feel anything, like my legs were like full blown vibrating.” But that has not stopped his teammates from lauding Homa.

Read More: Hours After Justin Thomas Furiously Bashed Famed Golf Writer For ‘Ridiculous’ Claims, Max Homa Breaks His Silence in Cheeky Fashion

Brooks Koepka acknowledges his comrade’s feat

Earlier this week, Justin Thomas, while sharing a video of the putt, commented “The dude is my hero. The passion and grit he plays with is so inspiring.” Now, Koepka himself joins in praising Homa.

Although Max Homa said he was not “on his short list of people who want the ball”, Brooks Koepka is convinced he is one of those few who would truly want to bear the burden of winning or losing Ryder Cup on their shoulders. Sharing Homa’s clip on his story, the five-time Major Winner wrote, “Baller.”

It’s not easy to earn praise from Brooks Koepka. When the veteran player pats on your back despite the team losing, what more can you ask as a Ryder Cup rookie!

Watch this story: Brooks Koepka receives a shout-out from the great white shark at the $25,000,000 event