Cal Golf: Max Homa Eliminated in Round of 16 From WGC Dell Match Play

Former Cal star Max Homa made an early exit from the knockout phase of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play event at Austin, Texas, falling to 50th seed Mackenzie Hughes in the round of 16 early Saturday.

Homa, who was seeded fifth in the 64-player event, lost 3 and 2, winning just two holes. The match ended when Hughes won the 14th and 16th holes, giving him a three-hole advantage with two to play.

Players sidelined in the round of 16 each earned $365,000. Sunday’s winner will take home $3.5 million from the total purse of $20 million.

Homa, now ranked No. 6 in the world, has won twice on the PGA Tour this season, boosting his career total to six victories. He has now earned more than $7.7 million in prize money this season.

The 32-year-old breezed through group play at Austin, winning his first two matches before collecting a forfeit victory Friday when Hideki Matsuyama withdrew due to neck soreness.

"Just another bogey free day," Homa joked on Twitter.

Fellow Cal grad Collin Morikawa failed to advance through group play at tournament, which will no longer be on the PGA calendar next season when the tour moves to a designated-event schedule format.

Next up on the PGA schedule, beginning Thursday, is the Valero Texas Open at San Antonio, followed by the Masters, April 6-9 at Augusta, Georgia.

Cover photo of Max Homa by Reinhold Matay, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo