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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 22, 2007

Hoffman wins Hope in playoff

Associated Press

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. — Charley Hoffman was the last man standing on a wind-swept day in the desert.

At the end of a long, gusty day yesterday in the weather-plagued Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Hoffman won his first PGA Tour title by ramming in a 4-foot birdie putt to beat John Rollins on the first playoff hole.

"Definitely the survivor. It was brutal out there, probably the hardest conditions I've played in, for sure," Hoffman said after playing 91 holes over a five-day stretch.

The 30-year-old Hoffman birdied No. 17, eagled the 18th in regulation, then birdied the 18th in the playoff. He closed with a 1-under 71 on The Classic Club course to match Rollins (73) at 17-under 343.

Others had their problems on a day when the wind gusted to 40 mph. Phil Mickelson hit three balls into the water in a three-hole stretch. With two double bogeys, five bogeys and three birdies on his card, the two-time Masters champion, 2005 PGA winner and two-time Hope winner finished with a 78 that left him tied for 45th at 7 under.

Former Kane'ohe resident Dean Wilson shot an 84 yesterday to finish at 358. He earned $10,120 and 51 FedEx Cup points.

ELSEWHERE

Women's World Cup of Golf: Julieta Granada and Celeste Troche gave Paraguay its first Women's World Cup of Golf title, combining for a 7-under 65 in best-ball play for a seven-stroke victory over the United States yesterday in Sun City, South Africa.