The reasons Charlie Hoffman circles the WM Phoenix Open on his calendar are plentiful. Among them:
He’s had a 16-year relationship with title sponsor WM, so it’s natural he feels comfortable in his surroundings at TPC Scottsdale.
The golf in Phoenix can be likened to that in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas.
And finally — and this is a reality we all face — his aging body truly appreciates some time in the Arizona heat.
So even though Hoffman withdrew from last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with back issues after a 2-under 70 in his opening round, he was still eager to get after it during Thursday’s opening round. The four-time PGA Tour winner was happy with that decision at day’s end — as he used a trio of consecutive birdies on his first nine holes to finish the day with a 67. That left him just two shots off the lead after the early wave of players.
In describing his ailing back, Hoffman explained the specifics, but then quickly shifted to the reality that his age is also an issue. The UNLV grad turned 45 two days after Christmas.
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“Degenerative disk, just bulging, fragmented, trying to dissipate — all the good stuff,” he said. “I’m no spring chicken, I’m 45 now and. … I don’t think I have ever really withdrawn from an event in my career and this has been sort of humbling, to be completely honest with you.
“It’s been a lot longer road than I ever anticipated, when I withdrew from the Houston Open back in November, I never would have thought that I wouldn’t have a start until last week. But hopefully, I finish an event this week. I never would have thought that.”
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Hoffman certainly didn’t look like a guy who’d essentially been on the shelf since before Thanksgiving, registering just one blip with a bogey on No. 8, but cashing in a total of five birdies on the day. He wasn’t supremely impressed with his own play, but he felt the Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish design was in immaculate shape.
“The course was amazing. My game was I would say very average,” he said. “I didn’t drive it very well, I was able to sort of scrounge around the golf course. And I think the greens I hit I made birdie for the most part.
“It wasn’t a very clean round, but I haven’t played a ton of rounds on the PGA Tour in a while, it’s been a long recovery with the back. And it’s nice to get in 18 solid holes.”
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As for the setting, which was back to pre-pandemic levels with massive crowds and plenty of rowdy behavior? Hoffman said it’s all part of the fun in Phoenix, and he added he’s always impressed with the effort put in by the Thunderbirds, the tournament hosts.
But could Hoffman handle a similar vibe at every PGA Tour stop?
“I’m glad it’s one week a year,” he said with a smile. “I think if it was every week it might be a little intense, but definitely one week a year this is a lot of fun and I embrace it.”
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