Like most golf enthusiasts this weekend I tuned in to what used to be called the “Fifth Major”, that is, until they banned LIV golfers, at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It was an interesting tournament despite the fact that the winner could have teed up with his putter on the 18th hole and still won with such a massive lead going into the final hole.
There were many noteworthy events like the large (in comparison to history) number of hole-in-ones on the famous 17th island green. But another major event was Tom Hoge (pronounce hoe-gee, not like the crypto HOGE pronounced hoe-jsh) who set the course record shooting a 62 on Saturday.
While he did not go on to win with his play on Sunday he did end up in a tie for 3rd place netting him a cool One Million, four hundred and seventy five thousand dollars!
Not so bad for a weekend’s work.
Many of these high paid mega millionaire golfers fly private jets or rent jets with companies like NetJets and so on. But not Tom Hoge. Take a look.
Tom Hoge is going to pick up about $1.3 million and fly home to Fort Worth in coach. That's just Hoge.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) March 12, 2023
#21C pic.twitter.com/FBasyDPk8o
— Tom Hoge (@HogeGolf) March 13, 2023
I mean when you compare this humble tweet to many other star golfers drinking expensive champagne and flaunting the “good life” this is truly impressive.
Yes the only reason @AmericanAir flew that day was to get me to the game. https://t.co/tgCxLYXb0u
— Tom Hoge (@HogeGolf) January 17, 2023
It seems the jet he was on, from the best I can tell from the #21C hashtag is an American Airlines jet (maybe readers can fill in just what jet) and he likes flying American. Also noteworthy is he normally flies coach according to GolfDigest.com that said:
“I always fly coach,” Hoge told the AP’s Doug Ferguson recently. “That’s normal for me. . . . I try to hang onto some of this money we make, right?” – GolfDigest.com
Respect! Gotta say mad respect. I mean to always fly coach and save your cash from playing. Plus on a side note he can avoid the rather nasty food AA seems to be offering now-a-days in domestic first class! 😉
But that also makes me think – why is he not a top American Elite who gets lots of “free” upgrades. I mean now that American Airlines program basically rewards you from getting their credit cards and spending like crazy – why not pay for all your golf expenses on their cards and reap the rewards?
Who knows? Maybe Tom will reach out and comment on this post and if he in fact already does what I just suggested but did not score an upgrade on this flight! – René
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Nothing strange. Give me $1.5 million and I will still fly economy class, particularly on a domestic flight. Give me much much more and I would eventually skip first class and jump to private jet, particularly if the alternative are connecting commercial flights.
I was just in JAX.airport and city very crowded and few seats available to get in and out..esp after the TPC.Sunday
He shot a 78 on Thursday, didn’t think he’d make the cut, so he booked a flight home for Friday afternoon after he’d be done w/ his 2nd round.
Ended up doing OK on Friday, but 2nd round had to finish Saturday morning, so he re-booked for Saturday afternoon.
He ended up just making the cut to play on Saturday, where he proceed to break the course record. So he rebooked again for Sunday.
Guessing that, given his last-minute flight, first wasn’t available (for upgrades that is, since it sounds like he only buys coach).
Keepin it real in coach but slummin on AA.
I just can’t watch the PGA anymore, their reaction to LIV has completely soured me on pro golf