Viktor Hovland, the Norwegian golf sensation, has been facing a dry spell of victories for the past 19 months, despite teaming up with golfing mentor Grant Waite. The current season has seen Hovland grappling with swing issues that have resulted in a continued trophy drought. His initial performances at the Sentry and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he ranked T36 and T22 respectively, were followed by a series of disappointments, including three consecutive missed cuts, starting with the Genesis Invitational. However, a glimmer of hope emerged at the Valspar Championship, where Hovland scored a 67 in the second round and comfortably secured the T2 position. While he awaits a breakthrough in his winless spell, his enduring humility and commitment have not gone unnoticed, winning him the adoration of fans worldwide.
The 27-year-old golfing star opened up about his struggles saying, “Yeah, it sucks. You have an ability that you can almost sometimes take for granted. You just wake up every day and you stand over the ball, and you just expect the ball to start in that direction and go that direction and end up somewhere close to the hole. Then it starts to not do that, it’s pretty frustrating. You start thinking things you’ve never thought before. And this game becomes infinitely more challenging and it’s already really challenging.”
Hovland’s performance issues began to manifest following the 2023 season, a year that saw him claim three victories, including two consecutive FedExCup Playoffs events at the BMW Championship and TOUR Championship. In a bid to refine his swing, Hovland introduced more “draw pieces” to his technique after the 2023 season. This move, however, backfired, resulting in a loss of control over his swing. The following 2024 season proved challenging, despite notable performances at the PGA Championship and the Jude Championship where he finished 3rd and T2, respectively. Reflecting on his decision to tweak his swing, Hovland told the PGA Tour, “I made a poor decision. That’s the game of golf for you. It’s hard to play golf 20 years great.”
Despite his ongoing battle with swing issues, Hovland’s positivity remains unshaken. At the Valspar Championship, he spoke about learning from disappointments and looking forward to regaining his form: “So it is really humbling and, you know, kind of handling those moments, I mean, I think there’s a lot of lessons to be learned there. And now that hopefully I can regain my ability and see those shots again, hopefully I can be in a better spot where I can handle that situation better.”
The Valspar Championship might prove to be a turning point for Hovland, giving him the much-needed boost. His charisma and positive outlook have garnered him a strong fan following. His candidness about his struggles has struck a chord with fans, who are rallying behind him.
Despite trying various strategies to regain his form, including reuniting with Grant Waite at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after parting ways with Joe Mayo in December last year, Hovland’s struggle with his swing continues. However, fans remain supportive, praising his determination and honesty. One fan’s comment, “Love this honesty from Viktor. Helps all of us who try to be our best to see a guy like this battling these demons during swing changes,” encapsulates the public sentiment.
Last year, Hovland finished 3rd at the PGA Championship, which was his second-best finish of the season. Despite his swing issues, he was just a whisker away from the title, thanks to reuniting with Joe Mayo just a week before the PGA Championship. This fact has fans hopeful, with one fan commenting, “If he can ever get 80% of his swing back he will compete for majors again.”
Currently positioned at T2 at the Valspar Championship, Hovland remains hopeful and determined to improve. His humility and hard-working nature have won over fans, with one remarking, “He might come back as one of the greatest ball strikers ever with that mentality.“ When asked if he was too hard on himself, Hovland responded, “I am hard on myself, yeah. But that’s also why I’m good. If I wasn’t hard on myself I probably wouldn’t be out here.”
Viktor Hovland’s honesty and dedication have endeared him to fans and fellow golfers alike. His struggles and resilience serve as a reminder of the challenges and unpredictability of the sport, making golf a more intriguing game with Viktor Hovland in it. Will this season see Hovland bouncing back stronger than ever? Only time will tell.