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09/06/10 06:05:00
Printable Page
09/06 18:02 CDT Hoffman wins Deutsche Bank; Tiger stays at No. 1
Hoffman wins Deutsche Bank; Tiger stays at No. 1
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
NORTON, Mass. (AP) -- Charley Hoffman was rolling in so many putts he lost
track of how many birdies he made Monday. His final stroke on a Labor Day
masterpiece was his 11th birdie, more than enough to win the Deutsche Bank
Championship.
The question is whether it was enough to make him a last-minute pick for the
Ryder Cup.
"Hopefully, I'm on the real short list," he said.
Hoffman ran off four straight birdies early to erase a four-shot deficit,
seized control by holing a bunker shot on the 13th and closed with a 9-under 62
on the TPC Boston for a five-shot victory over Geoff Ogilvy, Jason Day and Luke
Donald.
Tiger Woods had three rounds in the 60s for the first time this year. He closed
with a 69 to tie for 11th, and kept his No. 1 ranking in the world when Phil
Mickelson imploded again.
Mickelson needed only to finish fourth to become No. 1 for the first time in
his career. Instead, he opened the back nine with a triple bogey, made a double
bogey on the 17th and shot 76 to finish 15 shots behind in a tie for 25th. A
month ago, Mickelson had an equally good chance at Firestone and shot 78.
Even if he doesn't make the Ryder Cup, the FedEx Cup is looking pretty good for
Hoffman.
He was No. 59 in the standings and arrived at the TPC Boston wanting to make
sure he advanced to the third round of the playoffs next week outside Chicago.
He wound up a winner, moving to No. 2 in the standings. That assures him a shot
at the $10 million bonus, and puts him in all four majors next year after not
playing any of them this year.
That includes his first trip to the Masters, one of many perks.
"The best perk would be the Ryder Cup," Hoffman said.
U.S. captain Corey Pavin will make his four selections Tuesday morning in New
York. The frontrunners are Woods, Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink, with no one
standing out as the fourth choice.
Pavin had said earlier in the week that no one should assume a good week at the
Deutsche Bank would put him on the team.
Hoffman, oozing California cool with his blond locks flowing from under his cap
and kelly green pants to match his shoes, made a strong impression with his
game and his words.
"No question I think I can contribute to that team," Hoffman said. "If I can
shoot 62 here in the playoffs, I'm pretty sure I can handle the Ryder Cup."
Hoffman tied the tournament record at 22-under 262, winning for the second time
in his PGA Tour career.
He looked plenty strong on a gorgeous Labor Day in New England. Starting the
final round four shots behind Day, Hoffman began his first big run with a
two-putt birdie on the par-5 second, and a pair of 10-foot birdies sandwiched
around a good tee shot to the front bunker on the par-4 fourth green for a
tap-in birdie.
Hoffman must have known it was his day on the 13th, as Ogilvy was hitting his
stride. He blasted out of the front bunker, trying to nestle it close on greens
that were firm and fast, then climbed out of the trap pumping his fist when it
fell for an unlikely birdie. He followed that with a 5-foot par save on the
14th, an 18-foot birdie on the next hole and a 7-foot birdie on the 16th.
No one could catch him.
"The playoffs, that's what you try to do," Hoffman said. "Just got it going
this week."
Day was wild off the tee early, then struggled with his putter coming in. He
shot an even-par 71. Donald, who also had a share of the lead early, remained
winless on the PGA Tour since 2006 when he settled for a 69.
Ogilvy closed with a 66, and the runner-up finish moved him from No. 52 to No.
9, assuring him a spot in the Tour Championship. It was Ogilvy's first top 10
on tour since he won at Kapalua in the first tournament of the year.
He played alongside Hoffman and appreciated what he saw.
"I had the best seat in the house to watch that," Ogilvy said. "He hit great
shots all day. He putted really well and as soon as he got himself in trouble
he'd go and hole a bunker shot or something like that. So it was a pretty class
act and he never looked like doing anything but winning after about three
holes."
The top 70 in the standings advance to the BMW Championship, which starts
Thursday.
Andres Romero, who only started these playoffs at No. 115 and only got to the
TPC Boston with a 40-foot birdie putt on the final hole last week, shot a 72
and narrowly made it at No. 68. The surprise was Tom Gillis, who was at No. 92
until a 65-65 weekend gave him a tie for fifth and moved him to No. 48.
Steve Marino shot 76 and John Rollins had a 79 to fall out of the top 70.
The heartbreak belonged to Kris Blanks, who closed with a 70 and appeared to
narrowly make the field in Chicago until Charlie Wi birdied the last hole to
bump him out.
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