Tom Hoge’s Quiet Comeback: Holding Fort in the Lead After a Thrilling First Round
The New PGA Tour Season Kicks Off in Style at Kapalua
The PGA Tour kicked off its new season at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii. The tournament, which features 60 of the best golfers in the world, saw a new atmosphere and a fresh start for many of the competitors. Tom Hoge, a 30-year-old American player from North Dakota, took the lead after the first round with a score of 9 under par, 64.
Hoge, who had only played a limited amount of golf over the off-season, was one of the many players who did not win on the PGA Tour last year. He had a busy schedule, traveling to Mexico for a week in November, then returning home for the birth of his first child in December. Despite the break, Hoge’s putter was on fire, making several key birdies and a chip-in on the fourth hole.
Hoge’s score was matched by Will Zalatoris, a 29-year-old Australian player who took two months off after falling short of making the Tour Championship. Zalatoris has been working to strengthen his body after missing several months with back problems and expects this new season to be his best.
“I feel like I haven’t even had surgery right now,” Zalatoris said. “I want to keep raising the ceiling because I know if I try to hit the ball 300 yards at 160 pounds, that’s not a recipe for longevity.”
Zalatoris impressed in his first round, not making a single bogey and posting a score of 65. Other top players, including Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young, and Corey Conners, also shot strong rounds, with Morikawa, Young, and Conners each posting 66.
Hideki Matsuyama, a Japanese star, had a strong stretch on the back nine, hitting a birdie-eagle-birdie sequence to get his score to 65. However, a three-putt bogey on the 13th hole and a mediocre tee shot on the next hole almost cost him a tie with Hoge.
The new season also saw the absence of Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one player, who picked up a cut from broken glass while preparing Christmas dinner. This year’s tournament also marks a change in structure, with only the top 100 players in the FedExCup standings retaining their full exemptions for next season.
The battle for the top of the leaderboard will continue on Friday as the competitors face the Plantation course for the second round. With a unique format that pits players against each other in a head-to-head match, the Sentry Tournament of Champions is set to be an exciting event.
FAQs
Q: Who took the lead after the first round at the Sentry Tournament of Champions?
A: Tom Hoge shot a 64, 9 under par, to take the lead after the first round.
Q: Who else had strong scores in the first round?
A: Will Zalatoris also shot a 65, while Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young, and Corey Conners each posted 66.
Q: Who missed the first round due to injury?
A: Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one player, was absent due to a hand injury sustained while preparing Christmas dinner.
Q: What is new about the structure of the PGA Tour this season?
A: The top 100 players in the FedExCup rankings now retain their full exemptions for the next season.
Conclusion
The opening round of the 2024 PGA Tour season at the Sentry Tournament of Champions saw several exciting performances from top players. Tom Hoge’s triumph over the competition gives him a significant lead as the tournament moves into its second round. With the change in structure and a restructured field, this year’s tournament promises to be an exciting and competitive event. Golf fans and enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling conclusion as the hottest players in the world battle it out at the Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii.
