Former UNLV star Charley Hoffman returns for Shriners Open

By Brian Hurlburt Special to the Review-Journal

5 years ago

Charley Hoffman of the United States plays onto the 15th green during a practice round ahead of ... — Charley Hoffman of the United States plays onto the 15th green during a practice round ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Charley Hoffman of the United States looks at his shot from the 4th tee during the first round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Thursday, July 18, 2019.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Charley Hoffman of the United States looks at the 12 green during a practice round ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

It was a difficult decision for Charley Hoffman to not play in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last year for the first time since 2006, especially given the circumstances of 2017 surrounding the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting.

In 2017, a month after the tragedy, the former UNLV star finished tied for 18th at the Shriners and donated his $98,600 check to the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund.

“Today is the day, two years ago, and I get chills just talking to you about it right now,” Hoffman said Tuesday before a practice putting session at TPC Summerlin, where the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open begins Thursday. “I hated to miss last year due to scheduling and playing in Asia, but it is great to be back.

“Las Vegas was my first official pro start (1999) back in the old school days when the Las Vegas Founders Club gave me a sponsor’s exemption. That was unbelievable, even though I missed the cut. … I have a lot of great memories here, and to be back as part of the best field in years is great.”

Hoffman, 42, has played at the Las Vegas PGA Tour stop 13 times, winning $762,892 with a best finish of fourth in 2014. Hoffman, who was born in San Diego, appreciates his fellow top players showing up and playing in his adopted hometown tournament, but he also wants to defend the Summerlin turf.

“I have been fairly close a few times (to winning), and it would be great to win here in front of the hometown fans and on a course that I have played as many rounds on as pretty much anyone,” Hoffman said. “If I can get the putter going, then I usually have a chance to win the tournament.”

Ex-Rebel Oda makes field

Former UNLV All-American John Oda shot 64 in the Shriners’ Monday qualifier at Boulder Creek, then survived a playoff to earn a spot in the field. Gordan Brixi, a UNLV commit from Saddlebrook Academy in Florida, also shot 64 but didn’t advance in the playoff.

Oda left UNLV in 2018 after his junior season and finished 107th on the 2019 Korn Ferry Tour money list and has limited status for this season.

UNLV’s Aussies play round

UNLV player Jack Trent, a Palo Verde High School product originally from Australia, and former Rebel Adam Scott, also from Australia, played a practice round together Tuesday.

Freelance writer Brian Hurlburt can be reached at bhurlburt5@gmail.com or @LVGolfInsider.