HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Onward.
That’s Morgan Hoffmann’s mindset following his return to the PGA Tour this week in the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. Playing for the first time in 923 days, Hoffmann, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2017, likely missed the cut with rounds of 71-72 but proved to himself he belonged.
“I feel solid. Excited to play again,” he said after his round. “I don’t know when that will be. I’m excited about the progress. I definitely wanted to prove to myself that I could do it again. I know that I can and just need to sharpen up.
“My short game was pretty bad. I actually came into the week with my short game feeling solid. I don’t know, caught some weird lies and just didn’t really hit my spots. Putting had a lot of lips out there, and my irons can improve a lot out there.
“I knew I had a chance at least to make the cut, but it happens.”
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Playing on a medical exemption, Hoffmann has two more starts to secure playing privlidges for the rest of the season. He is hoping to play in the Wells Fargo Championship in three weeks. The tournament has relocated from Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, to TPC Potomac at Avenal Farm in Potomac, Maryland, as the Presidents Cup is being played at Quail Hollow in September.
“I really like that course,” he said. “I saw they did some changes. I want to play these three starts I have somewhat soon so I can continue playing the rest of the year and hopefully get my card for next year.
“If the Tour doesn’t have an opposite field event, I’d play probably a couple Korn Ferry events. Just depends on where my status is.”
Hoffmann, whose search for alternative treatments for his incurable disease took him around the world and led to his present home in the mountains and jungles of Costa Rica, will stay in Jupiter, Florida, while his home is being renovated.
He’ll continue to hone his game – especially his long game that he thinks he can cure with more repetitions – and look forward to raising more awareness that non-conventional treatments can help people in search of improving health. In 2017, Hoffmann and his wife, Chelsea, established the Morgan Hoffmann Foundation to help the fight against muscular dystrophy. The two’s goal is to build a wellness center in Costa Rica, tentatively called Nekawa, which is awaken backward.
“What surprised me the most (this week) was how pure this course was and just how pure PGA Tour events are and how awesome the camaraderie and welcoming back was,” he said. “The support was amazing. I felt very grateful.
“It was really special. I’m just happy to be back out.”