Golfer Max Homa had made a name for himself outside of the golf course on X, where he built up a sizable following, and shocked everyone when he announced earlier this year he was leaving the social media platform. 

Speaking with reporters at TPC Deere Run ahead of the John Deere Classic, Homa addressed why he stepped away from X and how it’s become a “safe haven for a–holes.” 

“The reason for that is just the vitriol you read online. It has become a safe haven for people who are, I think, angry at themselves. It is quite absurd how comfortable people feel writing awful things,” Homa said. 

“Twitter or X or whatever is an awful, awful place. It took me a while to catch on to how impactful that can be and how much of a waste of energy. I miss the connection with the fans, but nothing comes without so much hate and anger. There’s a lot of love in there, too, but, unfortunately, it gets overwhelmed with one really bad one.”

Homa, 34, suggested that the encroachment of legal sports gambling could have led to some of the vitriol that has permeated online over the years. 

“People say some bad, bad things on the internet. You get people telling you you should die on the internet. It has nothing to do with not connecting. I’d love to keep connecting with people, but I try to do it in person a bit more because I have yet to meet somebody in person who has said anything even remotely mean.

“It’s a safe haven for a–holes, for lack of a better term. Sorry, PGA Tour.”

In March, when Homa had stepped away from the platform, he called X a place “for the sick” and that he was “sick” for how much he used X. 

Homa has struggled recently, missing seven cuts in 16 tournaments this season.

He only has one top-25 finish, which came at The Masters.