Jason Dufner is skinny as hell now

Jason Dufner is a walking advertisement for the benefits of healthy eating, what with the 2013 PGA champ’s 20-pound slimmer profile capturing the attention of those on the ground at this week’s Honda Classic.

Dufner said during January’s Humana Challenge that he needed a drastic lifestyle change or he “wasn’t going to be able to play golf.”

Not that it was easy for the formerly husky Auburn alum to give up the pizza, sugar and soda (though he did “cheat” a tad when he got to La Quinta and had to have some In-N-Out Burger).

“The first five days sucked. I felt terrible,” he said about 86ing the fast foods in favor of twinkie- and gluten-free alternatives that lessen the inflammation in his body and help his various injuries. “I laid in bed for five days, literally. Headaches and not feeling good.”

Last year was a wake-up call for the originator of “Dufnering” (a part of his heavier persona he would just as soon forget).

“It was pretty simple for me. Didn’t really have a choice. I haven’t felt good for two or three years, to be honest with you,” said Dufner, who missed significant time in 2014 with a bad neck and other woes. “Kind of came to a head last year. I couldn’t play. I missed the playoffs, missed the defense of my PGA Championship. More than likely missed playing in the Ryder Cup because of it.

“So, not really ready to give the game of golf up yet,” said Dufner, who told SB Nation last summer he might retire in five years.

Now, if only the three-time PGA Tour winner can drop half as many strokes (and his nasty dipping habit) as he has pounds, he might make it to the weekend.

Dufner, who’s dipped to 47th in the world rankings from No. 38 at the end of 2014, has missed the cut in each of his 2015 starts at the Humana and the Phoenix Open.