Morgan Hoffmann Announces He Has Muscular Dystrophy

(Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

 

In a post on The Players’ Tribune Monday, PGA Tour pro Morgan Hoffmann announced that he has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophy is an incurable disease that results in the progressive loss of muscle mass. Per the Mayo Clinic, “some people who have muscular dystrophy will eventually lose the ability to walk. Some may have trouble breathing or swallowing.”

In the post, Hoffmann detailed his struggle to obtain a diagnosis, which he finally received in November of last year.

“That was the beginning of a five-year period of misdiagnoses, frustration, and confusion,” he wrote. “I visited over 25 doctors. While they were ‘racking their brains,’ my weakness progressed, my swing speed decreased and I continued to lose muscle in my chest. Today my entire right pec is almost gone.”

The piece, which is titled “So Damn Lucky” dives into Hoffman’s childhood and his life before golf. He also touches on his new goals for both golf and his personal life.

Hoffman also talked about his charitable work and hopes that the piece will bring more light to his disease.

“I believe now that this is why I was put on this earth — so that when a child is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, there will be a cure; there will be people to help with mental, nutritional and physical training guidance. And especially so that no disease will ever hinder a little boy’s or girl’s passion for life,” he wrote.

Despite the disease, Hoffmann recorded his best finish in a PGA Tour event this past February when he finished runner-up at the Honda Classic.

While he said he doesn’t know what to expect in terms of long-term health, he said his goal is still to win on the PGA Tour.

“This disease won’t keep me from achieving my dream of winning on the PGA Tour — and it shouldn’t keep anyone else from chasing their dreams either.”

Click here to read the full piece.