In addition to a trophy and a handsome check, the winner of the Charles Schwab Challenge is awarded a classic car, a tradition that began in 2019.
Last year, Emiliano Grillo beat Adam Schenck in a thrilling playoff to win the championship in a 1973 Ford Bronco.
This year’s tournament saw the winner awarded the fully restored and modernised 1975 Schwab StingrayA gorgeous sports car that many players will drool over.
But no one is more motivated to win than Charley Hoffman, who shot a 5-under 65 on Thursday to take sole possession of the lead.
“My dad had this when I was a kid, but he got rid of it when my brother turned 16. [because] “When he turned 16, his insurance premiums probably doubled, but he had a sports car,” Hoffman explained.
“The motive, he may not know, and maybe he does now, but there’s no question that for him it was to win that car.”
Hoffman came close to winning the PGA Tour at the WM Phoenix Open earlier this year, but lost a thrilling playoff to Nick Taylor, who scored five birdies in the final six holes to snatch the title from Hoffman.
Unfortunately, while Hoffman still has four PGA Tour victories, it has been a while since the 47-year-old has won, his last time coming in 2016 when he won the Valero Texas Open.
However, he has been plagued by back injuries ever since.
“When I’m healthy, I think I can beat anybody in the world. When my back’s a little bit sore, I don’t think I can beat anybody. I’m feeling pretty good. Obviously the heat and humidity and stuff like that works in my favor. There’s no question about that,” Hoffman explained.
“If I’m relaxed and my back is relaxed, I can hit it farther than anybody and I can compete with anybody. If I get a little tight, it’s a tough match for me. So, the weather forecast is looking good this week and I think I have a good chance. This is one of those old-school, traditional golf courses and I look at the calendar and I think I can win this week, I think I have a chance to win this week.”
Hoffman is in a good position so far with the “refreshed” Colonial.
“It was weirdly easy,” he called the first round on a day when no one finished under four under par. It remains to be seen whether his good form will carry over into the weekend, but either way, Hoffman is more than motivated to get the job done.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
