New dad leads The Sentry on Maui
The Sentry first-round leader Tom Hoge (left) and playing partner Adam Hadwin converse on the Kapalua Plantation Course's 18th green as they wait to close out their rounds Thursday afternoon. Hoge finished with a nine-under-par 64, while Hadwin posted a six-under 67.
By MATTHEW THAYER
New father Tom Hoge, a 35-year-old pro out of Fargo, N.D., made the most of an early tee time to grab the first-round lead of The Sentry PGA golf tournament Thursday at the Kapalua Plantation Course.
Hoge fired a nine-under-par, 64, a score that was good for a one-shot lead over Hideki Matsuyama and Will Zalatoris who both posted 65s. Tied for fourth, two shots behind Hoge going into Friday's second round, are Cameron Young, Collin Morikawa and Corey Conners.
Hideki Matsuyama follows through on the Kapalua Plantation Course's first tee Thursday.
In his press conference following his round, Hoge was asked why he had taken time off recently and he said he and wife Kelly had their first child in December.
"I played all the way through Mexico, first week of November," Hoge said. "Then was just at home, and we had our first child in early December, so kind of forced time off. I feel like with the changes in the schedule, last year was a lot of golf from now until the TOUR Championship, it was cramped in there pretty tight, so I felt like I was pretty burned out at that point, needed a little bit of time away."
Will Zalatoris tees off on the Kapalua Plantation Course's first tee Thursday.
He said the break tempered his Maui hopes.
"Really didn't have much for expectations coming in, because there wasn't a whole lot of play or practice the last few months. But felt like I was putting really well coming into the week."
Cameron Young tosses his ball to his caddie on the No. 18 green Thursday.
Tied for fourth at seven-under 66 are Adam Hadwin, Thomas Detry and Tony Finau. Tied for 10th at six-under are Jhonattan Vegas, Harry Hall, Aaron Rai, Austin Eckroat, Maverick McNealy and Adam Scott.
The 72-hole, $20 million tournament is scheduled to conclude Sunday with the winner taking home a check for $3.6 million. Second place in the 59-member field is good for $2.16 million, while last will garner $50,000. With fair weather and moderate winds predicted, it will likely take a very low score to win. The tournament record was set in 2022 by Cameron Smith, who finished 34 strokes under par after four rounds on the par 73 Plantation Course.
Patrick Cantlay chips to the ninth green Thursday.
Collin Morikawa watches his drive off the first tee Thursday.
The flag on No. 9 flaps in gusting winds Thursday at the Kapalua Plantation Course.
Viktor Hovland limps off the Kapalua Plantation Course's ninth hole with a birdie Thursday. Hovland is navigating the long, hilly course with a broken little toe on his right foot. He reportedly stubbed it on the frame of his Maui hotel bed after waking up groggy from a nap following a long flight from Norway.
Hovland watches his chip on No. 9 land near the cup Thursday. The ball nearly rolled in before settling close to set up a birdie.
The threesome of Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas and Adam Scott reach the Kapalua Plantation Course's first green at the start of their opening round Thursday.
The Sentry first-round leader Tom Hoge walks off the Kapalua Plantation Course's 18th green with a nine-under-par 64 Thursday afternoon.
Jhonattan Vegas tries to coax his long putt on the Kapalua Plantation Course's 18th green to slow down as it rolls past the cup Thursday.
The island of Molokai provides a backdrop Thursday. Views are muted by volcanic smog or "vog" from erupting Kilauea on the Big Island.
World No. 2 and former tournament champion Xander Schauffele hits his approach shot to the ninth green Thursday.