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From NCAA champ to PGA Tour winner, Wolff shows he can excel at every level

Sentry Tournament of Champions

Matthew Wolff tees off on the first hole Sunday during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Kapalua Plantation Course. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

KAPALUA — Just seven months ago, Matthew Wolff was competing in college.

This week, the 20-year-old from California competed against some of the best players in the world and finished tied for 11th at 7-under-par 285 in the winners-only Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Kapalua Plantation Course.

“I always pinch myself, you know, being here. I’ve watched this tournament on TV for I don’t know how many years now and I know so many holes and what they look like, at least on TV,” Wolff said on Sunday. “To be here in person, and be able to say you’re a PGA Tour winner is pretty special, so I’m really blessed for how far I’ve come.

“Even though I get frustrated on the course, I don’t want you to think I’m not fortunate enough to be here. It’s really special to be here and play with all the guys on the leaderboard and major champions and so many top players in the world, it feels good and gives me a little bit of confidence.”

Just this past May, Wolff was crowned the NCAA Division I men’s champion at the Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark.

Representing Oklahoma State University, the then-sophomore shot at 10-under 278 to lead the Cowboys, who advanced to the national team semifinals.

As a freshman, Wolff tied for seventh at NCAAs en route to helping his team win the national championship.

During his collegiate career, he was twice named a first-team All-American.

Although becoming a PGA Tour player was a goal of his since childhood, Wolff remained patient, learning everything he could before advancing to the next level.

“I think going into college, I wasn’t anywhere near ready to go pro, but as soon as I developed my game and had my coaches help me fix my weaknesses but also just help me improve my strengths and mental game, and my focus and course management,” he said. “I kind of just did what Tiger Woods did — I never really moved up in age groups (as a kid) I just wanted to dominate the one I was in. … I would make sure that I wasn’t just a fluke, I would want to win and learn how to win. And then you move up.

“I felt like there wasn’t much left for me to do in college and felt like it was time to move on to the next level.”

Wolff turned professional in June and by early July, he earned his first career PGA Tour victory at the inaugural 3M Open held at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn. By winning, he became eligible for the FedEx Cup playoffs and qualified as a PGA Tour rookie.

“My dream was always to be a PGA Tour player,” he said. “I was realistic with myself, even in high school I was playing really good and was nationally ranked as a junior golfer, but it’s still so hard. I was always realistic, like, I’m going to put in the work and I don’t want to look back and be like, I could have worked harder and regret it.

“Once I got into college, that kind of sparked me that I can actually do this and can play against the best at each level, so if I just keep on improving and working hard, I don’t see why I can’t play against the best at the highest level.”

Wolff is the second-youngest golfer ever to compete at the winners-only Tournament of Champions, which dates back to 1953. Jordan Spieth is the youngest, by just a few months, after he finished in second place in 2014.

As the youngest in the field this year, Wolff shot 73 Sunday to cap the four-day tournament with an overall score of 285.

“I felt like I was pretty patient out there, I felt like I didn’t have a lot of putts drop, but you know, with how windy it was, it was hard to make anything so I was kind of surprised how low the scores were to be honest, with the further greens,” he said. “I knew it’s gettable with not a lot of wind, but I was pretty pleased with how I played. I mean, I felt like I was pretty tough out there — made some pretty stupid mistakes — but came back, had a nice couple birdies on the back nine and I finished even par in 25 to 35 mph winds.”

The definition of success for Wolff is just “improving in my game” rather than number of wins as he heads into the new year.

“I’m very confident in my game, internally, I don’t show it. It’s confidence, not cockiness,” he said. “So if I feel like I got better and I know it, then it’s a successful season.”

* Dakota Grossman is at dgrossman@mauinews.com.

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