Hoffman drawing from Masters form
Charley Hoffman is taking the positives from his superb form at the Masters as he looks to defend his title at the Valero Texas Open this week.
The American played one of the best rounds of his life in difficult conditions in the first round of Augusta, opening with a sizzling seven-under 65, nearly ten shots better than the field average.
While he would ultimate slip down the leaderboard courtesy of a final round 78, Hoffman is philosophical about what it meant to lead the Masters.
"I had a chance and I was in it for a long time," the 40-year-old told pgatour.com.
"I was leading the Masters after 40-some holes. It was a lot of fun and I know I can do it someday. It's learning from what you don't expect to happen, sort of like at Augusta. I didn't expect not to win and I'm going to learn from that.
"I'm going to be fine. I'm not going to go into this depression or anything like that. I'm going to be just fine. I'm going to give it another run this week. I've failed enough times to know that another failure is going to be in the future."
Hoffman arrives at the Valero Texas Open off the back of a missed cut at the RBC Heritage. However, he revealed that he is buoyed by the mere sight of TPC San Antonio, a place where he has never been outside the top 13 in his last 11 outings.
"I've had more success at Valero than really any other golf course since it's gone over there," continued the Californian.
"It's a place where I feel comfortable, sort of like the Masters. I step on the property and it fits my eye. I just like the way it suits my game. Great place I look forward to playing every year."
Last year, Hoffman won his fourth PGA Tour event when he beat Patrick Reed by one stroke at Valero.
Latest
-
NewsUS Open day two: Richard Bland stays strong as Hideki Matsuyama’s belt gives up
Last year’s runner-up Matthew Wolff and former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen are a shot off the pace.
-
NewsRichard Bland extends fine form to claim share of US Open lead
The 48-year-old is the oldest player to lead or share the lead after 36 holes in US Open history.
-
NewsRichard Bland continues fine form to claim the overnight lead at the US Open
The Englishman finished day two one shot ahead of former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.
-
NewsRichard Bland sets clubhouse target to sit as US Open’s unlikely leader
Bland began the week as a 500/1 outsider and 115th in the world.
-
NewsRichard Bland takes surprise US Open lead as Bryson DeChambeau rallies
Bland won his first European Tour title in his 478th start at the British Masters.
-
NewsLouis Oosthuizen holds on to share of lead at weather-affected US Open
The South African raced the birdie attempt seven feet past the hole but calmly holed the return, before also parring the ninth to complete a 67.
-
NewsLouis Oosthuizen and Russell Henley in front at foggy US Open
Play was suspended late on Thursday evening after the opening round was marred by a 90-minute fog delay.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka on track early in quest for third US Open title
Koepka won the tournament in 2017 and 2018.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka makes promising start to US Open as Phil Mickelson struggles
Koepka won the title in 2017 and 2018 and was second in 2019.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka makes impressive start in bid for third US Open victory
Brooks Koepka made an impressive start to his bid for a third US Open victory in five years as Phil Mickelson’s hopes of completing the career grand slam suffered a significant blow.Koepka, who won the title in 2017 and 2018 and was second in 2019, carded an opening 69 at Torrey Pines to lie two shots behind early clubhouse leader Russell Henley.Former Open champion Francesco Molinari was a shot off the lead following a 68, but Mickelson was four over par approaching the end of his round, a month after becoming the oldest champion in major history with his shock victory in the US PGA Cham…