While TIGERWOODS was the main attraction at Masters, all eyes were on Morgan Hoffman at RBC Heritage - his first tournament since 2019.

In 2016, the former world No1 amateur was diagnosed with incurable muscle dystrophy. He had to quit the PGA Tour.

After being unhappy with his doctor's treatment, he fled to the jungles of Costa Rica and Nepal to survive off the grid.

He instead took a holistic approach to his health and tried alternative therapies.

Hoffman drank his urine for 10 days and took hallucinogenic drugs. He also ate 800 grapes per day as Chelsea supported him.

The 32-year-old New Jerseyan is now back. Although he did not make it to Hilton Head last week for the cut, his efforts to come back have been very well received.

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Next big thing

Hoffman was expected to be the next big thing when he turned professional in 2011.

He was previously the No1 amateur in the world and had previously starred at Oklahoma State University with Rickie Fowler.

He was blessed with good looks and sponsors fell over themselves to support him. He was soon signed up by Mastercard, Breitling, Polo Ralph Lauren and Titleist for big deals.

He noticed physical changes in his physique during his final year at OSU.

Although he did lose muscle mass in his chest and didn't feel any pain, he didn’t think anything of it.

His swing began to weaken as a result of his weakening pectoral muscles over the years.

The doctor misdiagnosed him with a trapped nerve. Other leading American hospitals couldn't find the cause.

He was finally diagnosed in 2016 with facioscapulohumeral muscle dystrophy, an incurable condition that causes your muscles to deteriorate.

According to doctors, Hoffman's best hope was to keep his mobility as long as possible.

He recalled the moment he learned about his diagnosis and told Golf Digest that it took him less than five minutes to call. The doctor said, "You have Facioscapulohumeral muscle dystrophy." I was confused and asked, "What should I do?" He told me that I could do some therapy but that's it. It will only get worse. I'm like, 'That's it?'"

Hoffman visited another specialist but received the same answer.

Hoffmann stated, "I'm like: 'This is probably the dumbest s*** that I've ever heard.'

"F*** this," I said. "This is not how you treat people."

He took his life into his own hands

Hoffman was not satisfied and wasn't receiving the answers he wanted. He found a better way to deal with his illness.

Chelsea and he travelled to Nepal together. They lived off the grid for three month. He learned about the ancient art of urine therapy.

He would experiment with his own urine twice daily, and rub it into his gums.

He would do this for 10 days, refusing to eat or drink water in exchange for a cup full of urine.

Hoffman switched doctors to find more cures. Hoffman settled in Nicoya Peninsula, western Costa Rica. There, people live longer and are healthier.

Chelsea and Hoffman spent time in Nosara. This is a favorite destination for surfers and a favourite among Yogis.

They also visited Nicoya, Mexico in 2019, and tried ayahuasca. This is a highly potent psychoactive cocktail, which is used to heal the spiritual ailments of the Amazon Basin's indigenous people.

Under the supervision of a Shaman, the Hoffmans consumed cups of this special brew once every five hours for four consecutive days.

Hoffman stated that Hoffman told him to surrender after he took the drug.

"Don't worry; be calm and let the magic happen. Two nights ago, I saw geometric patterns.

It was very fascinating. Then I realized that I wasn't going to give up. I finally said OK, let's go the third night.

"The ceiling vanished. All the stars were visible to me. It was the most clear thing I have ever seen.

"Out of nowhere, this beautiful, 40-foot-long geometric butterfly appears on my left side. And under it, flies this tiny moth.

"They feed me this enormous vine and you can see the nature being pumped into my mouth like gasoline.

"Some energy made me open my mouth and I couldn't close it for the rest of my life. It took me an hour and a quarter to get it closed.

"The moth takes the vine from me, and suddenly this enormous elephant appears.

"I felt its presence, energy and protection. It was beautiful.

"Then, I had to stand up and all the black smoke began pouring out my mouth--jet-black.

"The shaman beside me also saw it. It was like the disease was coming out from me. This was a turning point for me in my healing.

Spirituality remains

Hoffman recently purchased a mountainside home in Novara, Costa Rica that offers ocean views, but no doors or windows.

He is now settled with his dogs and continues to work on himself, including breathing, meditation, yoga, and other exercises.

He was so determined to try something new that he would eat only grapes for 17 days. After clearing out the fruit shelves at his local supermarket, he would eat more than 800 grapes per day.

Hoffman is now able to feel his pectoral muscles once more, thanks to weight training.

He stated that his right pec was the most painful. It reached my ribs and is visible as bone. Now, when I touch it and flex it, it feels like it's back.

It's "very, very exciting."

Hoffman will next play in the Wells Fargo Maryland in three weeks. He also plans to work towards his PGA Tour card in case his medical extension doesn't suffice.

The spiritual warrior is determined prove doctors wrong by his own decisions in life.