Hoffman, family enjoying impressive Masters Tournament run

In some ways, Charley Hoffman is just like any other golf fan seeking autographs from the Big Three, if such a person also happened to be in the last pairing Saturday at the Masters.

Normally, his seemingly out-of-nowhere 10-under entering the final round could be the story of the tournament. Instead, it’s a side story to leader Jordan Spieth and big namers Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods despite Hoffman’s 71 on Saturday to put him alone in fourth place.

But Hoffman won titles in high school and college, where he was a teammate of Adam Scott at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

He qualified for this year’s Masters with a November win in the OHL Classic, his first since 2010. After his victory, he told reporters his previous win occurred when his wife was pregnant with their oldest daughter, Claire, who is now 4.

Hoffman, 38, from San Diego, used to be known for his long, blond hair – a perfect fit for a California boy.

“I guess the hair’s gone, so I’m not that much different than any golfer now,” Hoffman said last week. “My hair stopped growing on top like it used to. … So it wasn’t that great a look anymore, to be honest with you.”

Before his Thursday round, Hoffman acknowledged that his mind was focused on trying to get the Big Three’s autographs as he was warming up near them in advance of the honorary start. He got Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer to sign a couple of pin flags but missed out on Gary Player because the three-time Masters champion walked away before he could get it.

“I was sort of scared, ‘Should I ask them, should I not ask them?’ ” said Hoffman, who auctions the items for his foundation, which supports youths in Las Vegas and San Diego.

“My mind wasn’t really on golf really,” he said. “I was watching those guys.”

When Hoffman teed off Thursday, he started his 15th major. He missed the cut in seven and has never finished a major better than a tie for 27th. That career-best major finish came in his first Masters four years ago.

He finally made his second Masters start this year, and his family, including his and his wife’s parents, are here to support him.

He stormed into second place with 67-68. With Saturday’s 1-under placing him at 10-under, Hoffman’s own signature could be worth something in the future.

“It’s spectacular,” Hoffman’s father said. “It’s unreal. He’s made it happen and he deserves this. It’s been fun to watch.”