The story of Morgan Hoffmann’s return to competitive golf dominated the early history of RBC Heritage. In his first appearance on the PGA Tour in 2 1/2 years, Hoffman shot a steady par 71 at Harbor Town Golf Links and showed little ill effects from 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 world No. 1 amateur back in action, any tenderness quickly faded after the first hit.
Indeed, playing partner Harold Varner III, who earned a top-25 finish in his Masters debut, sheds light on the cutthroat mentality Tour players must maintain. Varner was asked if he noticed any changes in Hoffman’s swing since he last saw him play.
The answer was vintage and unedited HV3.
“I haven’t, but I’m not a very conscious person, never have been. I’m out there to beat Morgan.” Varner said. “Actually I do not care. … I understand he’s been through a lot, but everyone on this planet is going to go through something, and that’s his struggle. My fight can come later.
“It’s time to compete on the golf course. I want to win. I do not know. It’s kind of messed up, but it is what it is.”
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Varner, who fired a 67, also said he was happy to see Hoffmann, adding that the former Walker Cupper still had play. When asked if Hoffmann was trailing the group off the tee, Varner added that he wasn’t concerned because Hoffmann – whose best result on the Tour was a T-2 at the Honda Classic in 2017 – used precise iron play to stay on 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’ve been watching the whole lap, I know I passed him by 30 yards in 3rd place, but he hit it at 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 exactly what he has to do to play well.”