WM PHOENIX OPEN

February 11, 2024

Charley Hoffman

TPC Scottsdale

Quick Quotes

Q. Obviously a little disappointment, but if you can just put into words the big run you made and how pumped you were to have a good day like that.

CHARLEY HOFFMAN: Yeah, putting myself in contention coming down the stretch, I didn't really falter, so I've got to give Nick credit. He came back with birdies on 16 and 18 and then 18 and 18. He birdied four of the last five holes he played. Hats off to him for doing that.

I played my butt off. I gave myself a chance. I knew if I got to that 22 number it would be hard for him to catch me, and left a putt short in regulation. But I love the juices. I love competing. This builds a little fire in the belly. I definitely want to be back here.

Q. It looked like the way you were acting out there, you were actually playing with house money. You were having a lot of fun. No one expected you to be up there. Was it sort of like that?

CHARLEY HOFFMAN: No, I want to kick all these young guys' butts, believe me. I sit back and I want to beat them. I want to be in these Signature Events. I want to be one of the best in the world again. If I'm healthy I can compete, and I want to show these guys I've still got it.

Q. When did you start feeling healthy again?

CHARLEY HOFFMAN: End of last year probably. It was a long road. My back has been bad and just a lot of maintenance, and it's been nice to be able to show up every week and be able to practice and play and not just hopefully get a start and get in the round.

I can't compete against these guys with a sore back, but if I'm healthy, I've still got it.

Q. What will be your lasting memory of this week do you think?

CHARLEY HOFFMAN: Lasting memory, obviously watching Nick beat me, watching it on the 18th green. There's some great fans out here. I know there was some criticism yesterday about how the fans acted, but there was nothing but gracious fans out here today supporting the WM Open here in Phoenix. The Thunderbirds did a great job putting on an amazing event this week, and can't wait to be back next year.

Q. The AON Swing 5, that's moved you in. Just a few comments on that.

CHARLEY HOFFMAN: Did it?

Q. Obviously a beneficial program that you can take advantage of. Just a comment about that.

CHARLEY HOFFMAN: That's awesome. I'm excited about that. I guess I'm playing next week and not going skiing.

Q. You were planning to go skiing? Where?

CHARLEY HOFFMAN: We were planning on going to Mammoth skiing for a few days. I guess we're going to have to change those plans.

A little inside story: I asked Tiger for an exemption and he said they're all taken, so I said, I'll play my way in, so I guess I did.