2023 has undoubtedly been a whirlwind year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland, punctuated by stunning highs and perplexing lows. One of the season's highest points came when Hovland secured the FedEx Cup Playoffs title, a testament to his perseverance and skill. This crowning achievement was supported by three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship and a jaw-dropping final-round 61 at the BMW Championship in Chicago. Moreover, he clinched victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, cementing his dominance in the postseason with an impressive scoring average of 66.17.
However, Hovland's season was far from a straightforward ascent. He began the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, a position that did not initially suggest the remarkable run that was to follow. Additionally, he had managed only one top-10 finish throughout the season and experienced the worst total strokes gained output of his career. His strokes gained approach numbers dropped to +0.46 per round, and he found himself ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green.
The Norwegian's performance at the Ryder Cup in the fall was another highlight, showcasing his skill and tenacity on one of golf's most revered stages. Despite these achievements, Hovland has been candid about the challenges he faced throughout the year, particularly with his swing mechanics.
Challenges and Adjustments
Hovland’s reflections on his season reveal a deeper narrative of struggle and adjustment. "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 pursuit of refining his swing, Hovland admits that his efforts during the offseason inadvertently caused more harm than good. "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." His analytical approach to understanding and correcting the issues underscores his methodical mindset and commitment to improvement.
Mental Fortitude and Future Prospects
Golf, as any player knows, is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Hovland has been transparent about the mental toll these changes have taken 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," Hovland revealed.
His resilience and determination to forge a path back to his best form are evident. "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."
As the offseason looms, Hovland’s focus appears steadfastly set on regaining his form and mental edge. The journey of a professional athlete is seldom linear, and Viktor Hovland’s 2023 season encapsulates the unpredictable and often tumultuous path of elite sports competition. His candidness about his struggles and strengths provides insight into the relentless pursuit of excellence that characterizes the very best in the sport. Hovland’s fans and fellow competitors will undoubtedly be watching closely as he works to translate his learnings into future successes.