The story of Morgan Hoffmann’s return to competitive golf dominated the early storyline at the RBC Heritage. In his first PGA Tour appearance in 2 ½ years, Hoffmann fired an even-par 71 on Harbour Town Golf Links, showing few ill effects of the Muscular Dystrophy he was diagnosed with five years ago.
But while his colleagues on the Tour were happy to see the former Oklahoma State star and former No. 1 amateur in the world back in action, once the first shot was played any tenderness was quick to wear off.
In fact, playing partner Harold Varner III, fresh off a top-25 finish in his Masters debut, shed light on the cutthroat mentality Tour players need to maintain. Varner was asked if he noticed any changes in Hoffmann’s swing since he’d last seen him play.
The answer was vintage and unedited HV3.
“I did not, but I’m not a very aware person, never have been. I’m out there to beat Morgan.” Varner said. “I don’t really care. … I get that he’s been through a lot, but everyone on this planet’s going to go through something, and that’s his battle. My battle may come down the road later.
“When you’re on the golf course, it’s time to compete. I want to win. I don’t know. That’s kind of messed up, but it is what it is.”
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Varner, who fired a 67, also said he was glad to see Hoffmann and added that the former Walker Cupper still has game. When asked about Hoffmann lagging behind the group off the tee, Varner added that he’s not worried since Hoffmann — whose best finish on Tour was a T-2 at the Honda Classic in 2017 — used precision iron play to stay in the hunt.
“He hit his 5 iron close to where I hit my 8-iron, so I don’t think it really mattered. If you were watching the whole round, I know on No. 3, I outdrove him by 30 yards, but he hit it to four feet and I’m sitting there at 20, 25 feet,” Varner said of Hoffmann.
“That’s what makes the game so beautiful. He knows how to hone in on what he needs to do to play well.”
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