Crossword Genius

Out of bounds, perhaps, drive ultimately hooked? Totally incompetent! (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hopeless

'totally incompetent' is the definition.
(hopeless can mean completely incompetent)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for hopeless that I've seen before include "Despairing, pessimistic" , "With no chance of success" , "incurable" , "Inefficient" , "Despairing - pathetic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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