Victory puts gives Charley Hoffman into dreamland

Win: Charley Hoffman
Andrew Hodgson13 April 2012

American Charley Hoffman was dreaming of a remarkable call-up for the Ryder Cup after a staggering performance in the second of the FedEx Cup play-off events.

The 33-year-old grabbed 11 birdies in a career-low 62 — the best round of the day by three — to win the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston by five strokes.

It was only Hoffman's second US Tour victory in 298 starts and he came into it 132nd in the world rankings.

"If I can shoot 62 on a Sunday in the play-offs I am pretty sure I can play pretty good for the team in the Ryder Cup," he said.

"I'd love to represent the United States. There's no question, I think I can contribute to that team."

American captain Corey Pavin names his four picks this afternoon, having waited three weeks like predecessor Paul Azinger to see if anybody was in hot form. Hoffman (right) would still be a surprise selection, however. In a

10-year professional career he has played only five majors, has never had a

top-30 finish in them — and did not even qualify for any of the four this season.

Tiger Woods looks certain to be one wild card despite the United States winning the last match without him and losing the previous three with him. Woods has come 12th and 11th in the first two play-off tournaments and while that means he has not had a top-10 placing in his last six starts — that has never happened to him before — he is still world No1.

Once again Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker missed the chance to topple him. Mickelson needed a top-three finish but slumped to 25th spot with a 76 and Stricker had to win and was ninth.

Asked if he was expecting a call from Pavin after his closing 68, Woods said: "We will see. Hopefully, he has my number!"

Luke Donald already has his wild card from Pavin's opposite number, Colin Montgomerie, but he also now has a sixth runners-up finish since his last win in America nearly five years ago.

The Englishman led by two after seven holes of his final round, but as Hoffman went into overdrive Donald went into reverse with a hat-trick of bogies from the 14th. At least he finished with two birdies to share second with Australians Geoff Ogilvy and Jason Day.

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