Illinois golfer Max Herendeen rebounds from slump ahead of U.S. Amateur

Illinois senior golfer Max Herendeen is preparing for another U.S. Amateur campaign following a significant recovery from an eight-month slump characterised by poor results and mental struggles. After finishing outside the top 35 in multiple tournaments, head coach Mike Small removed Herendeen from the starting lineup to force a period of recalibration. Herendeen, who also changed his putter and sought perspective from fellow golfer Jackson Buchanan, has since improved his standing, highlighted by a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championship and reaching the Sweet 16 at the Western Amateur.

Herendeen, a native of Bellevue, Washington, had previously enjoyed two All-American seasons and a deep run at last summer’s U.S. Amateur. However, the transition into his senior year brought intense scrutiny. After a strong junior fall semester that included three top-five finishes, the pressure to maintain elite status created a negative aura during practice. Herendeen admitted to struggling with negative thoughts and a lack of accountability, which led to a series of poor performances, including finishes of 44th or worse in three consecutive starts.

The turning point arrived when Illinois head coach Mike Small decided to sit Herendeen for the Oregon Duck Invitational. While Herendeen initially felt frustration at the decision, Small believed the senior could handle the adversity without spiralling out of control. The coach’s confidence was well-founded; Herendeen won the tournament immediately after being benched, although he continued to struggle in subsequent events, finishing outside the top 35 in two consecutive tournaments before the Big Ten Championship.

A pivotal moment occurred during a dinner with Korn Ferry Tour professional Jackson Buchanan, who was visiting to see his girlfriend. Both players realised they were sulking over their performance, which prompted a shift in perspective. Herendeen noted that the conversation snapped him back to the reality that they were living their dreams, regardless of their current form. This mental reset coincided with a technical adjustment, as Herendeen switched from a double-wide blade putter to a mini version of the Ping Craz-E mallet.

The combination of a clear, positive mindset and the new equipment led to a rapid improvement in results. Herendeen placed third at the conference championship, tied for 19th at NCAA regionals, and reached the quarter-finals at the Western Amateur. Having overcome the noise and expectations that plagued him earlier in the year, Herendeen now approaches the upcoming U.S. Amateur with renewed confidence and competitive form.