Charlie Hoffman thrilled to be defending his Bob Hope Chrysler Classic title in Palm Desert

From WorldGolf.com News Services

A communications major during his college days at UNLV, Charlie Hoffman has a good understanding that on the PGA Tour, if you're requested to do media interviews, it's a good thing.

"It's great," Hoffman told reporters Tuesday at Palm Desert, Calif., where he'll defend his title in this week's Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. "Any time you get to talk to the media it means you have to be doing something all right, so it's nice to come back to defend.

"Obviously, it's the first tournament I've ever defended and obviously I have great vibes about the golf course. It fits my game pretty well, and I'm ready to go out and get the tournament started."

Hoff survived harsh weather conditions — stiff winds and temperatures that occasionally dipped below 50 degrees — and a one-hole playoff with John Rollins to earn his first PGA Tour victory in last year's event. A birdie on the first playoff hole gave the San Diego native a victory that was worth $900,000 and made him the first player since Donnie Hammond in 1986 to become a first-time winner in the Bob Hope Classic.

Recalling the victory a year later, Hoffman said it was basically about survival.

"Bad weather with gusts up to 35 miles an hour as everybody knows and it was just tough, and I guess I withstood the wind," said Hoffman, who finished birdie-eagle in regulation to force the playoff. "I don't think I beat it — the wind won that day — but I was able to battle out and beat John in the playoff."

Repeating is always difficult, but Hoffman's chances should be helped by the fact that none of the top 20 players in the world are in the field for the PGA Tour's only 90-hole event. Stewart Cink, ranked No. 24, is the top player in the $5.1 million tournament that will be played on four different courses.

Among the top names bypassing the Hope Classic are Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson, who won the event in 2002 and 2004. Both are scheduled to begin their 2008 PGA Tour seasons next week in the Buick Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, which is also hosting this year's U.S. Open.

"You always want to try to beat the best in the world every time you play," Hoffman said. "It's probably going to be easier to win without those guys there, but every time you play you want to try to beat the best in the world and it's unfortunate that no one's here in the top 20 in the world, but obviously there's a tournament to win and a check to pick up and I'll give it my all."

George Lopez again hosting Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

George Lopez will be serving as the tournament's host for the second consecutive year. The actor/comedian said he learned plenty from his experiences in last year's Hope Classic.

"I learned that guys don't like it when it's windy," Lopez told reporters. "They're good, but they're not as good in the wind. I also learned to pace myself. And if I keep my blood alcohol level a little bit under Lindsay Lohan's, I'll have a great week."

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

SCHEDULE: Wednesday-Sunday
SITE: Palm Desert, Calif.
COURSES: The Classic Club (7,305 yards, par 72), Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA West (6,930 yards, par 72), La Quinta Country Club (7,060 yards, par 72) and Palmer Course at SilverRock (7,553 yards, par 72).
PURSE: $5.1 million. Winner's share: $918,000.
FEDEX CUP POINTS: 25,000. Winner's share: 4,500.
TV: The Golf Channel (Wednesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. EST, 9 p.m.-midnight EST; Saturday-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. EST, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. EST).

January 16, 2008