Newly married Hoffman off to solid start at FBR Open

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Charley Hoffman fired a 5-under 66 in the first round of the FBR Open on Thursday.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The FBR Open is not exactly the "how low can you go?" 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer, but don't try to tell that to Charley Hoffman.

The long-haired dude from Las Vegas, whose only PGA TOUR win came at the 2007 Bob Hope Classic, said he plans to stay aggressive in 2009 no matter where the big boys are teeing it up.

"Obviously, I haven't played up to what I thought I would ever since I won my first tournament,'' said Hoffman, 32, who has posted just four other top 10s in the past two years, his best finish being a tie for fifth at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in September of 2007.

"But the biggest disappointment of all has been that I haven't even really contended. This year, I'm refocused and plan to play much more aggressively. More than anything, I want to get back into contention after not being in contention for a long time. That's the only way you can play out here if you want to win: attack the pins. Hopefully, that pans out for birdies, not bogeys.''

It certainly did during Thursday's opening round of the FBR Open, where Hoffman followed up a top-20 finish last week at the Bob Hope Classic with a bogey-free, 5-under-par 66 that included birdies on all three of the TPC Scottsdale's par 5s. As is his habit, Hoffman bombed it off the tee (311.6 yard average) with slightly better-than-average success with his putter (29 putts).

"That's always the big thing with me: making putts,'' said Hoffman, who blamed his flat stick for his failure to return to the winner's circle. "Last week, I putted a little better, and (Thursday) I made some birdie putts...

"One of the things I've learned out here is you can hit it close to the hole all day long and if you don't make putts you can easily turn a 67 into a 76. So right now, as far as my putter goes, I feel like I'm taking some small steps, some baby steps, to get better.''

As for the FBR Open, where James Nitties and Lucas Glover led the way with 65s, the scores were much higher in general than in past years. Hoffman said the reason for the difficulty can be traced to tighter fairways and firmer greens at the TPC Scottsdale.

"I think it's going to be tough for guys to score out here,'' he predicted. "The greens are perfect and they're rolling well, but I think it's hard to get a lot of shots close to the pins.

"I think 5 under is going to be decent. I'm not going to be shocked if someone shoots 7 under, but all in all a pretty good start.''

Hoffman said he's glad he skipped Hawaii and started his 2009 campaign at the Bob Hope Classic for two reasons.

"I'm not a big fan of starting (the season) where the wind blows, or for that matter, on over-seeded Bermuda greens,'' Hoffman said in reference to the conditions in Hawaii. "The Hope is played on great courses, and it's easy to get into the flow because they're fairly easy (courses)...

"It doesn't hurt to have those good vibes (from winning there in the past).''

Hoffman always has been known as an easygoing guy, and his urgency to get back into the hunt isn't necessarily eating him up inside, he said. That he is in the final year of a two-year exemption for his 2007 win also is "no worries.''

"You're never really exempt out here until you make your money (for the season) and you're good,'' said Hoffman, who is nearing the $4 million mark in earnings in a little over three seasons on the PGA TOUR.

"Worrying about that (keeping his card) is not what I think about. I'm just thinking about trying to win again, and playing good golf. If I do that, the other stuff will take care of itself.''

In the meantime, Hoffman is getting used to his new traveling partner -- wife Stacey. After a lengthy courtship over the past six years, the two San Diego natives tied the knot Nov. 29.

"I was born in San Diego, and she was raised there, and we graduated from the same high school but were just friends back then,'' Hoffman said of the relationship. "After high school we stayed in touch, and then started dating. The next thing I know, we're married.''

It was all a formality, Hoffman said.

"We've been together a long time, so it's not like a big change or anything,'' he said. "I guess the only real difference is she's no longer working; she's out here traveling with me.

"In that regard, it's really nice to have another friend out here.''