Tom Hoge, who has one career PGA Tour victory, has a one-shot lead at The Sentry.
Tom Hoge arrived in Maui this week with zero expectations. He last played competitively at the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico two months ago, and yet, he felt confident in his putting heading into this week.
And it showed on Thursday.
Hoge, a native of Fargo, North Dakota, drained 130 feet worth of putts and carded a 9-under 64, which is good for a one stroke advantage over Hideki Matsuyama at The Sentry.
He exhibited his putting prowess immediately, as he drained a 15-footer for birdie on the opening hole. An 18-footer dropped in for another par-breaker on the third, and then, to top it off, he chipped-in for a three on the par-4 4th.
“Make a few of those early on, chip one in on 4 from kind of a tough spot, it just kind of frees you up,” Hoge said after.
“And you’re in Maui, kind of just no expectations, just let it go and see what you can do.”
Two more birdies followed at the 5th and 7th holes, but an unforced three-putt was sandwiched in between at the par-4 6th.
“Standing at the top of the hill with a wedge in, and thinking I should make another birdie again, and was pretty frustrated walking off that,” Hoge said of what happened on the 6th.
“Luckily, I bounced back on the next hole, made a nice putt from 15 feet or so, and that’s kind of the story of the day.”
Remarkably, Hoge made five birdie putts from more than 15 feet out, proof that he had his flat stick cooking with gas, despite the snafu at six. He said that putting was the key to his round, and rightfully so.
But it’s worth noting that Hoge is a phenomenal ball-striker.
Last season, Hoge ranked second on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained on approach, trailing only Scottie Scheffler. He was especially deadly from 100 yards and in, ranking second on tour in that category as well. Yet, his putter set him back a bit, as Hoge finished 93rd on tour in strokes gained putting.
Nevertheless, it’s a new season in Maui, and nobody relates to that better than Hoge.
“I think when we kind of start off the year, expectations aren’t as high, you don’t know where the game’s at, so I feel like I’m maybe a little bit freer out here on the golf course, just because you shake off the bad shots a little bit easier and just chalk it up for being January,” Hoge said.
“Just try to keep getting better a little bit each year, each day, each tournament.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
