Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today WM ambassador and 23-year PGA TOUR veteran Charley Hoffman will receive the first of five available sponsor exemptions for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open, set to tee it up February 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale.

“We’re obviously very proud to present our first sponsor exemption to 23-year PGA TOUR veteran and WM ambassador Charley Hoffman,” Williams said. “Charley has been a wonderful friend of not only our tournament, but our title sponsor and our local communities. We’re looking forward to seeing him in action this February and excited to welcome him back to ‘The People’s Open’.”

Since, turning professional in 2000, the San Diego native has recorded four PGA TOUR wins including the 2007 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship, the 2014 OHL Classic at Mayakoba and the 2016 Valero Texas Open. Hoffman also was a member of the 2017 U.S. Presidents Cup team. Hoffman will make his 17^th start at “The People’s Open” with his best finish coming in 2009 as a runner-up to eventual winner Kenny Perry.

“I’d like to thank the Thunderbirds and WM for their continued support of me, my family, and my career,” Hoffman said.  “This is hands down my favorite event on the calendar, not only because of the fans and the amazing atmosphere, but because I get to represent WM during the week of their biggest event. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity to compete at this stage, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for what seems to be the biggest WM Phoenix Open ever.”

The Thunderbirds and WM have a total of five exemptions to award for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open. The remaining four exemptions will be announced leading up to the tournament.

The competitive WM Phoenix Open field will be competing for the increased purse of $20 million, the $3,6 million first-place check and 500 FedExCup points. PGA TOUR members have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, to commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. Eligible players are assigned one of 34 PGA TOUR priority ranking categories based on their past performance on TOUR. The field will continue to change as players with higher priority rankings commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. This year, the WM Phoenix Open is guaranteed to have the top 20 players at its event thanks to the commitment from PGA TOUR players in the Player Impact Program. The 2023 WM Phoenix Open will be one of PGA’s ‘designated status’ events.