Max Homa is ready for the Masters; Wells Fargo Championship will feature Bubba Watson

Max Homa, the surprise winner of the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club, was back in Charlotte on Monday to meet with the media and do some promotional work for the tournament.

Homa’s victory at Quail Hollow was the first of his career. With it, Homa got a two-year extension of his PGA Tour card and invitations to the Players Championship and the Masters — high-profile events in which h has never played.

Homa spoke with reporters, including the Observer’s David Scott, on Monday at Quail Hollow, where the Wells Fargo returns April 30-May 3:

What’s the year been like after winning your first tournament?

“It’s been good. Golf’s been good. I feel a lot more confident, obviously, and a little bit more relaxed. It’s not quite as much the pressure cooker as it tends to be. It’s actually been inspiring. I now know what my golf game can do. I go into events now with a lot more optimism, knowing I’ve won a golf tournament before — and a mighty good one. I welcome the change from the anxiety-filled seasons I’ve had in the past.”

You haven’t won for a second time, but your results have been good recently, with three top-10s in your last four tournaments. How’s your game been?

“I’ve been kind of dancing all around being in contention. My golf game’s been good the last couple of months and the wrap-around from last season. I feel like I’m rounding into form for this part of the year and hopefully I can keep it up. I’d love to play like that here again this year.”

How will it be defending a tournament title?

“I’ve been very excited, actually. It’s not something I’ve done before, getting to defend. It’s one thing to come back to a golf course you’ve played well at and have all those good memories, but also to come back to another city you really enjoy. I love Charlotte. I’ve got friends that live over by Lake Norman. It has all the characteristics of a great city and obviously the golf course, I think it’s one of the best. So for me it’s a perfect place to win because I truly love coming here. It’s not a burden by any means.”

What are your feelings about playing in the Masters?

“Excited. It doesn’t feel real. I don’t know if it ever will. I’m not sure what kind of nerves I will feel, but for now I’m just excited. If I don’t get in the WGC match play event (in Austin, Texas, later this month), I’ll probably play in the Valero (in New Orleans) the week before. Or else I might be sitting on my hands at home, not really knowing what to do and getting too excited.

Will you do anything different beforehand?

“As far as preparation for my golf game, it’ll be the same stuff. I try to build my golf game to play every golf course well. I know I probably have to do a lot of good things out there at Augusta. So I’ll try and peak at the right time.”

Have you ever played Augusta National?

“No. But (Quail Hollow president and Augusta National member) Johnny Harris is bringing me over there the day after the Players. That will be my first time.”

Wells Fargo Championship player commitments

The tournament announced Monday that Bubba Watson, Gary Woodland and Xander Schauffele have committed to play. It’s the first time Watson has played in Charlotte since 2013, when he missed the cut. He tied for second with Lucas Glover behind winner Sean O’Hair in 2009. Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and Schauffele tied for second at last year’s Masters.