Former UNLV golfer Charley Hoffman embraces spot on US team

More than two decades after recruiting Charley Hoffman to play at UNLV, coach Dwaine Knight still remembers the courage his player showed on the course.

The stage is huge this week for Hoffman, who will represent the United States in the Presidents Cup for the first time. The team event is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.

“When I think about Charley Hoffman, there are a lot of things that come to mind,” Knight said. “He’s an outstanding competitor, No. 1, and he has always had a lot of courage as a player. He is not afraid to challenge things to get a victory and doesn’t fear the result if it doesn’t go his way.”

Hoffman, who played on UNLV’s 1998 national championship team and owns a home in Las Vegas, was picked for the team by U.S. captain Steve Stricker after finishing .023 points behind Kevin Chappell for the final automatic spot.

Phil Mickelson, a close friend of Hoffman, was the other captain’s pick.

Stricker paired Mickelson with Kevin Kisner for Thursday, but the possibility remains for a Hoffman-Mickelson pairing on Friday. Hoffman and Chappell won’t play on the first day.

“I’m going to follow the captain’s leads and let them make a lot of those decisions about who I play with, but I’m here to play with anybody,” Hoffman said. “There may be a few guys that I prefer, but that’s going to be between us, and we’re going to figure out some great, strong teams that are ready and prepared to play the International Team.”

Hoffman’s appearance marks the second straight year a UNLV player has represented his country in an international team competition. Last year, Ryan Moore made the putt that clinched the victory for the U.S. at the Ryder Cup.

Hoffman, 40, looks forward to being a part of a team for the first time since his UNLV days.

“I haven’t played a team competition since, really, college,” Hoffman said. “Team golf is few and far between, and I can’t wait to make my maiden voyage at 40. It couldn’t be a better spot than Liberty National.”

Hoffman has won four PGA Tour events and more than $25 million in prize money. He finished 20th in the FedEx Cup playoff standings and was ranked as high as fourth this season.

Adam Scott, who as a freshman played with Hoffman at UNLV, is a member of the international team.

Freelance writer Brian Hurlburt is a two-time author who has covered golf in Las Vegas for more than two decades. He can be reached at bhurlburt5@gmail.com or @LVGolfInsider.