Three UNLV alums — Charley Hoffman, Adam Scott, and Kurt Kitayama — finished inside the top 10 at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open.
There was a lot of rushed golf due to weather delays, but UNLV showed out in a big way at TPC Scottsdale.
Hoffman, who was a member of UNLV’s 1998 NCAA championship team, shot a 64 in the final round and finished with a 263 (-21). He forced a playoff against Nick Taylor, but came up short with a bogey on the second hole of the playoff.
Still, he walked away with 300 FedEx points and $959,200.
Charley Hoffman has nothing but respect for Nick Taylor's game. ???? pic.twitter.com/FftA4CuAs0
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) February 12, 2024
It was Hoffman’s first runner-up finish since April 1, 2021 at the Valero Texas Open, where he was two shots behind Jordan Spieth. He has four career wins on the PGA Tour.
“I didn’t really falter, so I’ve got to give Nick credit,” Hoffman said while talking to reporters. He praised Nick for coming in and seizing the moment. “I love the juices. I love competing. This builds a little fire in the belly. I definitely want to be back here.”
Adam Scott, who had a brief stint with UNLV in 1999 and 2000, and Kurt Kitayama, who attended UNLV between 2011 and 2015, both shot a 271 (-13) and finished in a tie for eighth place. They each walked home with $248,600 and 78 FedEx points.
Three Other UNLV Alums Finish in the Top 50
Hoffman, Scott, and Kitayama weren’t the only Runnin’ Rebels hitting it well this past weekend.
Taylor Montgomery, who was born and raised in Las Vegas before graduating from UNLV in 2017, finished in a tie for 39th. His college teammate, Harry Hall — who attended UNLV between 2015 and 2019 — was tied for 41st.
Garrick Higgo, who turned pro in 2019 after two years with the Rebels, was tied for 49th with a 279 (-5). And we can’t forget about Ryan Moore, who lettered for four seasons at UNLV. He missed the cut, but shot a 69 (-2) in the second round.
The most electric 5-footer you'll ever see ????
@DougGhim fired up the crowd on 16 @WMPhoenixOpen. pic.twitter.com/vDo40t0oT6— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 10, 2024
Maverick McNealy (T-6), Doug Ghim (T-12), and Séamus Power (T-66) — all of whom reside in Las Vegas — also played well.
This week, the PGA Tour heads to the coveted Riviera Country Club for the 2024 Genesis Invitational. With his runner-up finish, Hoffman earned himself a spot in the field.
Scott, Kitayama, and Montgomery will also tee off — alongside Tiger Woods, who will make his 2024 debut.
First-round coverage begins on Thursday (Feb. 15) and will continue through the weekend. There’s $20 million on the line, so motivation will be high and competition will be intense.
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