The year 2023 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland. From moments of sheer brilliance to unexpected dips in form, Hovland's journey this season has been as dynamic as it is inspiring. Let's delve into the significant highs and lows that have marked his golfing calendar.
Triumphs in the FedEx Cup Playoffs
In a remarkable display of skill and tenacity, Viktor Hovland clinched the prestigious FedEx Cup Playoffs title. His execution on the greens during the critical stages of the playoffs was nothing short of masterful. Notably, Hovland completed three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship, setting the stage for his commanding presence in the postseason.
Hovland continued his stellar form by delivering a phenomenal final-round 61 at the BMW Championship held outside Chicago. This stunning performance not only showcased his ability to dominate under pressure but also cemented his position as a formidable contender in the world of golf.
Hovland's journey reached its zenith at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where he secured yet another victory. His postseason scoring average of 66.17 was a testament to his consistency and dominance throughout the playoffs.
Challenges and Reflections
Despite these shining victories, Hovland's season was not without its challenges. He entered the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, a position that underscored the rollercoaster nature of his year. Hovland's strokes gained approach numbers fell to +0.46 per round, and he was placed 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green.
Reflecting on his performance, 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."
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."
Determination and Progress
Viktor Hovland's journey through 2023 also included a solitary top-10 finish in the season, marking the stark contrast between his peak performances and periods of struggle. He candidly shared his thoughts on facing these challenges: "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's determination to improve and his analytical approach to understanding the intricate details of his swing have been critical in his path to recovery. He expressed optimism about his journey forward, saying, "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 2023 draws to a close, Viktor Hovland's journey reflects the quintessential highs and lows of a professional athlete's career. His achievements in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup are a testament to his skill and tenacity, while his candid reflections on his challenges reveal a relentless pursuit of excellence. With a renewed focus and determination, Hovland's path to improvement promises exciting prospects for the coming seasons.