2023: A Transformative Year for Viktor Hovland
2023 has been a rollercoaster year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland. Marked by a series of highs and lows, Hovland’s season has been nothing short of transformative, featuring spectacular victories, personal challenges, and a relentless pursuit of improvement.
Despite entering the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, Hovland managed to clinch the FedEx Cup Playoffs title, a testament to his resilience and skill. His journey through the playoffs was particularly notable with three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship, a remarkable final-round 61 at the BMW Championship outside Chicago, and a definitive victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
The season wasn’t all smooth sailing. Hovland faced significant challenges, particularly with his strokes gained around the green, where he ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour. His strokes gained approach numbers also dropped to +0.46 per round, leading to the worst total strokes gained output of his career. Remarkably, throughout the season, Hovland only managed one top-10 finish, a stark contrast to his previous performances.
Hovland's postseason scoring average of 66.17 was impressive, reflecting his ability to perform under pressure. His participation in the Ryder Cup in the fall showcased a sensational performance, highlighting the peak of his abilities amid a tumultuous season.
Reflecting on his struggles, Hovland opened up about the adjustments he made to his swing. “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.”
He continued, "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.”
The psychological impact of these technical difficulties was profound. Hovland admitted, "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. 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. I feel like 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.”
With a renewed focus on understanding and correcting his swing, Hovland is optimistic about his future. "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. That's very challenging mentally. But at least now we're – 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.”
Indeed, 2023 has tested Hovland in ways he may not have anticipated. His victories at the BMW Championship, the Tour Championship, and his exceptional display at the Ryder Cup are evidence of his tenacity and skill. Yet, the challenges he faced, particularly with his swing and mental game, have also played a crucial role in shaping his journey. As Hovland continues to refine his game and navigate the complexities of professional golf, his path remains one to watch with keen interest.