2023 has proven to be a transformative year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland, filled with soaring highs and critical challenges. Hovland's journey through the competitive landscape of professional golf this year has highlighted both his exceptional talent and his resilience in the face of adversity.
At the forefront of his achievements, Hovland clinched the FedEx Cup Playoffs title, a pinnacle moment that cements his status among the elite in golf. This triumph was backed by an extraordinary performance at the St. Jude Championship, where he completed three consecutive under-par rounds, setting the stage for his postseason success. His win at the BMW Championship outside Chicago, sealed with a brilliant final-round 61, further showcased his skill and determination.
The climax of Hovland's season came at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where he secured victory with a commanding performance. His postseason scoring average stood at an impressive 66.17, underscoring his consistency and prowess under pressure. These triumphs were complemented by a sensational showing at the Ryder Cup in the fall, adding another feather to his cap.
Despite these remarkable achievements, Hovland's path was far from smooth. At the start of his postseason journey, he was ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings as he entered the St. Jude Championship. This lower ranking indicated the challenges he faced throughout the season, including a notable absence of Lucas Glover from the week's tournament, which may have influenced the competitive dynamics.
Technically, Hovland's performance had its ups and downs. His strokes gained approach numbers fell to +0.46 per round, and he ranked a concerning 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green. This statistical decline was part of a broader struggle, as he had just one top-10 finish in the season and recorded the worst total strokes gained output of his career.
In his own words, Hovland reflected on the technical adjustments he made in his swing and the ensuing challenges: "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." This quest for perfection led to unexpected complications in his swing mechanics, ultimately impacting his performance.
Hovland 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."
This period of adjustment took its toll on Hovland, both mentally and physically. "It's just not that fun to play golf when you don't know where the ball is going," he remarked. "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 has a clear vision for 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." This mindset showcases his determination to return to his peak form and his unwavering commitment to the sport.
As Hovland continues to navigate the complexities of his game, his journey serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines professional athletes. With the raw talent and analytical approach he has demonstrated, the future looks promising for this remarkable Norwegian golfer.