2023 has been a transformative year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland, marked by significant highs and puzzling lows. Although Hovland experienced challenges, his remarkable talent and relentless determination have defined his journey.
Highs and Lows on the Course
Entering the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, Hovland demonstrated resilience and skill. He managed to clinch the FedEx Cup Playoffs title, a commendable feat given the competitive landscape. His performance at the St. Jude Championship featured three consecutive under-par rounds, showcasing his ability to compete under pressure.
Hovland's prowess was further evident when he recorded a stunning final-round 61 at the BMW Championship outside Chicago. This performance set the stage for his victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where his postseason scoring average stood at an impressive 66.17.
However, Hovland's year was not without its struggles. Despite his postseason success, he encountered significant difficulties earlier in the season. His strokes gained approach numbers fell to +0.46 per round, and he ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green. These struggles were compounded by having just one top-10 finish in the season and recording the worst total strokes gained output of his career.
Reflections and Adjustments
Hovland's reflections on his season provide insight into the challenges he faced. "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 explained.
In his effort to improve, Hovland undertook changes in 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. 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."
Mental Fortitude and Future Prospects
Dealing with unexpected changes and challenges can test even the most accomplished athletes. Hovland candidly shared the mental toll it took on him. "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."
Despite the setbacks, Hovland remains optimistic and focused on improvement. "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."
Sensational Performance at the Ryder Cup
In the fall, Hovland's hard work and perseverance paid off with a sensational performance at the Ryder Cup, adding another highlight to his year. His ability to rebound and perform on one of golf's biggest stages is a testament to his skill and resilience.
While the ups and downs of 2023 have been a mixed bag for Viktor Hovland, his journey illustrates the challenges and triumphs faced by professional athletes. His story is not just one of victories and titles but also of personal growth, introspection, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.