Charley Hoffman reveals Tiger Woods' cheeky four-word comment in the locker room
Charley Hoffman reveals his interaction with Tiger Woods in the locker room ahead of the Genesis Invitational.
Charley Hoffman might be a full year younger than Tiger Woods but that did not stop the 15-time major champion in his tracks ahead of this week's Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour.
Hoffman, 47, revealed last week how Woods, 48, had initially denied him an exemption into this week's tournament at Riviera.
Woods' foundation is hosting the event.
So Hoffman took things into his own hands by qualifiying for the Genesis Invitational as a result of finishing runner-up to Nick Taylor at the WM Phoenix Open.
Hoffman qualified for the limited-field Genesis by coming through The Aon Swing 5 list, a new incentive for players to qualify for Signature Events on the PGA Tour.
He had to cancel a skiing trip with his family as a result, but apparently they have all still gone without him.
This week's Genesis Invitational has a huge $20m prize purse, with the winner walking away with $4m.
Despite agonisingly falling short of a fifth career title on the PGA Tour last week, Hoffman has received a number of congratulatory comments from his peers.
One was from Woods, who cheekily said to him in the locker room: "Good job, old man."
Hoffman added: "Tiger is older than me, but it's nice to get that."
Woods turned 48 on December 30, while Hoffman turned 47 on December 27.
Charley Hoffman, who asked Tiger Woods for a sponsor's exemption into the Genesis Invitational and was denied, played his way in with a runner-up at WMPO.
Woods was the first person to greet him in the Riviera locker room earlier this week. Hoffman says Tiger looked at him and… pic.twitter.com/yuOOQ2PnJf
— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) February 14, 2024
Thankful to earn his place in this week's third Signature Event of the PGA Tour season, Hoffman admits he is not just here to make up the numbers. Far from it.
The 'old boy' is determined to perform even better than he did last week.
Hoffman said:
He added:
Hoffman is making his 496th start on the PGA Tour this week and is scheduled to make his 500th start at the Valero Texas Open.
That is a tournament where Hoffman has amassed his highest-ever career earnings.
Hoffman's last PGA Tour title also came at the 2016 Valero Texas Open.
Woods is making his official PGA Tour return having spent the last 10 months recovering from ankle surgery after the 2023 Masters.
The 15-time major champion showed off his brand new Sun Day Red brand in partnership with TaylorMade earlier this week.
