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The Desert Classic: Power ranking the top 10 golfers at PGA West

By Mike Randleman

LA QUINTA, CA - JANUARY 21: The group of Andrew Landry, Austin Cook and Martin Piller walk up the fairway during the final round of the CareerBuilder Challenge at the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West on January 21, 2018 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
LA QUINTA, CA - JANUARY 21: The group of Andrew Landry, Austin Cook and Martin Piller walk up the fairway during the final round of the CareerBuilder Challenge at the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West on January 21, 2018 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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LA QUINTA, CA – JANUARY 21: Charley Hoffman chips onto the second green during the first round of the CareerBuilder Challenge In Partnership With The Clinton Foundation at La Quinta Country Club on January 21, 2016 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LA QUINTA, CA – JANUARY 21: Charley Hoffman chips onto the second green during the first round of the CareerBuilder Challenge In Partnership With The Clinton Foundation at La Quinta Country Club on January 21, 2016 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Charlie Hoffman comes off as a pretty relaxed guy. So it should be no surprise he strolled in an won this event in his debut in 2007. He played the Desert Classic every year since until 2018, but the Hoff’s back again in his home state. The San Diegan should have plenty of support in Palm Springs.

Playing close to home has proved beneficial. Hoffman’s win is one of five top-10s at this event. He was one shot out of a playoff in 2015.

Last season on the PGA Tour he was ranked inside the top-30 in approach from 125-150 yards as well as 150-175. If his iron game is that dialed in this week, he could be in for a big start to the year.

Hoffman, now 43, is one who takes well to the pro-am style tournament when some pros are negatively affected.

“Obviously I feel somewhat comfortable, I’ve won out here. I embraced playing with two amateurs,” Hoffman said in 2014. “The majority of guys are great guys. Sort of takes your mind off golf which is always nice. You’re out there for close to six guys so if you have a good guy you’re playing with, just talk to him and hang out, actually makes it a lot easier, you don’t have to worry about pars or birdies or bogeys. So I embraced that and have had a little bit of success out here.”

This is a good event for Hoffman to get back on track with to open 2019. He’s making his first start since a missed cut at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in November.

A year without a top-10 finish looks a little scary for Hoffman on the surface, but considering he had three top-20s in the majors, nine top-25s and only five missed cuts in 2018, he’s not far off. This is the epitome of a horse for the course pick, but it could be of value as those who favor hot hands will likely stay away.

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