FORT WORTH, Texas — Tom Hoge fondly remembers coming back from competing in the NCAA men’s golf tournament and walking from the nearby Texas Christian University campus to take in the final round of the PGA Tour event at Colonial Country Club.
But on Thursday, during the opening round of the Charles Schwab Challenge, Hoge wasn’t watching, but instead making the shot of the day, part of an impressive closing stretch that put him near the top of the leaderboard.
Hoge made birdie at his 15th hole of the day — he started on the back nine — and then went one better on the next hole, dropping a slam-dunk eagle on the par-4 No. 7 as he holed out from 154 yards. The finish was akin to one by feel-good story Michael Block at the PGA Championship.
The eagle moved him to 4 under for the round, and that’s where he finished, sitting second on the board through the early wave of players.
Slam DUNK.@HogeGolf with an eagle
@CSChallengeFW pic.twitter.com/EO3HgzNvBt
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 25, 2023
For Hoge, the chance to play well at the storied course — which is due for a major renovation as soon as this week’s event concludes — could help to erase three straight years of failing to miss the cut.
“This is home for me. It has been since 2007 when I came to TCU. It would be awesome,” Hoge said prior to the tournament. “I try to not think about that a whole lot because the last few years I’ve missed the cut. I’ve kind of taken on more responsibilities this week, and I would say a little more pressure to perform here.
“It’s nice sleeping in your own bed first of all, but I guess you get on the road and it’s a little bit easier to kind of get in the routine of tournament weeks,. I find myself doing more stuff around the house and some chores and that sort of stuff this week.”
The 33-year-old is now seeing the entire experience through a different lens since his college coach with the Horned Frogs, Bill Montigel, recently retired after 36 years at the helm of the program. Hoge said the support from TCU faithful was strong on Thursday, something that had him feeling a little extra something to begin his round.
“I would say today on the first tee was probably as nervous as I’ve ever been on the golf course. I certainly feel the pressure to try to play well in front of all my friends that have come out and tried to support me,” Hoge said. “But it’s a lot of fun having them out there. Certainly, moments like that are great.