Viktor Hovland's Rollercoaster Year: Charting the Highs and Lows
Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland has experienced a year filled with dramatic ups and downs. From triumphs to tribulations, 2023 has tested his resolve on and off the course.
FedEx Cup Glory
At the forefront of Hovland’s accolades is his dazzling performance in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The Norwegian clinched the title, punctuating his season with a statement victory. His ability to deliver under pressure was evident as he executed three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship, showcasing his skill and composure.
Hovland's performance crescendoed at the BMW Championship outside Chicago, where he produced a stunning final-round 61. This breathtaking round was a testament to his capability to perform at the highest levels, cementing his status as one of golf’s elite.
Tour Championship Triumph
The capstone of Hovland’s season came with his win at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. His postseason scoring average of 66.17 underscored his remarkable consistency and resilience. Despite the pressures that come with high-stakes tournaments, Hovland maintained his focus and delivered when it mattered most.
A Ryder Cup Standout
Hovland’s stellar form extended to international competition, with a sensational performance at the Ryder Cup in the fall. Representing Europe, his contributions were invaluable and further solidified his reputation on the global stage.
Challenges and Lessons
However, Hovland's journey was not without its obstacles. Entering the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, Hovland faced the monumental task of climbing the leaderboard in a short span. He also had to contend with Lucas Glover's absence from a key tournament.
On the technical front, Hovland experienced significant struggles. His strokes gained approach numbers dipped to +0.46 per round, and he ranked a dismal 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green. With just one top-10 finish for the season, it marked the worst total strokes gained output of his career.
Reflecting on his challenging period, Hovland noted, "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 – not necessarily because I had in mind that I wanted to change my pattern. 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."
Rebuilding Confidence
In his efforts to rectify these issues, Hovland made a conscious effort during the offseason. "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," he explained. "So now it's just kind of me learning from that."
Despite the downturns, Hovland remains optimistic. "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," he shared. "You just see a shot, and that's not good enough. 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."
Looking Ahead
Hovland's ability to maintain a positive outlook amid adversity is commendable. "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. 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," he reflected.
The resilience and grit Hovland has demonstrated throughout the year suggest that better days lie ahead. His candid reflection and strategic adjustments have set the stage for potential future success, further reinforcing his status as one of golf's most promising talents. With the challenges faced and lessons learned, Viktor Hovland’s journey in 2023 has been nothing short of compelling.