2023 has been nothing short of a whirlwind for Viktor Hovland, who has experienced a dramatic ebb and flow throughout the year, punctuated by moments of brilliance and bouts of struggle. Emerging victorious in the prestigious FedEx Cup Playoffs, Hovland has showcased the talent and tenacity that define champions. Yet, his journey has been fraught with challenges that have tested his mettle.
One of the standout moments in Hovland’s season came early on when he dazzled spectators at the St. Jude Championship with three consecutive under-par rounds. This performance was a prelude to another extraordinary feat—a stunning final-round 61 at the BMW Championship outside Chicago, which left golf enthusiasts in awe. His prowess continued unabated as he secured the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Hovland’s overall postseason scoring average of 66.17 is a testament to his consistency and skill under pressure. However, the year wasn’t devoid of difficulties. Initially ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings when he entered the St. Jude Championship, Hovland had to battle his way to the top, a journey marked by persistent effort and unwavering focus.
Technical Adjustments and Their Impact
Lucas Glover’s absence from a week's tournament did little to overshadow Hovland’s narrative. Yet underneath the triumphant headlines lay a story of technical struggle and personal introspection. Hovland’s strokes gained approach numbers saw a decline to +0.46 per round, positioning him woefully at 175th out of 176 on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green. Remarkably, he managed only one top-10 finish during the season, marking his worst total strokes gained output in his career.
Reflecting on his performance, Hovland admitted to making changes to his swing that, in hindsight, disrupted his game. "The things that I did in my swing that made me good, that made me able to predict a certain ball flight, I went home and tried to do a certain move," Hovland explained. "I knew my pattern was really good, but I was upset that I wasn't cutting the ball as much as I would have liked."
This offseason tinkering, as Hovland detailed, was a pivotal moment. "Then in the offseason I made a conscious effort to try to cut the ball more, and when I did that, I ruined a relationship that happens in my swing that makes it really difficult for me to control the face coming down. So now it's just kind of me learning from that. I know exactly why it happened. I know exactly what happens because I've gotten myself measured, and now it's just kind of a process of getting back to where I was. But at least I know I have all the data and the facts on the table to go about it."
Finding Clarity in Chaos
The Norwegian golfer has been candid about the mental toll these ups and downs have taken. "It's just not that fun to play golf when you don't know where the ball is going. I do pride myself in trying to make the best out of it, but it gets to a point where you kind of lose that belief—you just see a shot, and that's not good enough," he confessed. "I can try to grind my hardest. I can try to chip in from there. But you do that too often, too many times during the course of a round or a tournament, [and] it's too much to overcome."
Hovland’s honesty about his struggles is a refreshing contrast in a sport often marked by stoic exteriors. He emphasized the importance of knowing the underlying issues and having a pathway to improvement. "It's a waste of time for me to be playing golf if that's where I'm at; I'd rather be off the golf course and work on it, trying to figure out why I'm doing those things," he stated.
Progress Amidst Uncertainty
Despite the challenges, there is a renewed sense of purpose for Hovland. "I'm not sure how long it's going to take for me to play my best golf. It might be this week. It might be next week. But at least now I'm on a path to progress," he remarked. "I'm on a path to improvement. Whereas before, one thing is playing bad, but you don't know why and you don't know how to fix it. That's very challenging mentally."
While uncertainty lingers, Hovland's quest for improvement is steadfast. "I might play terrible this week, but at least I feel like I'm on a path to improvement, and that's all that kind of matters for me," he concluded.
In a year punctuated by highs and lows, Viktor Hovland’s resolve and transparency have stood out as hallmarks of his character. As he moves forward, there is no doubt that his journey will continue to captivate and inspire, both on and off the course.