2023 has proven to be a defining year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland. His journey has been one filled with ups and downs, culminating in remarkable achievements and noteworthy performances that have positioned him among the elite of the golfing world.
In a year marked by highs and lows, Hovland's perseverance and talent shone brightly as he clinched the coveted FedEx Cup Playoffs title. Entering the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, Hovland's remarkable turnaround began with three consecutive under-par rounds. This stellar performance set the stage for what would become a sensational postseason run.
One of the standout moments of Hovland's season came at the BMW Championship outside Chicago. He completed the tournament with a final-round 61, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and solidifying his place among the top players on the tour. This performance was a prelude to his triumph at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where he secured the title and, with it, the FedEx Cup.
Hovland's postseason scoring average of 66.17 further underscored his exceptional form during this critical juncture of the season. His efforts were not limited to individual accolades; he also delivered a sensational performance at the Ryder Cup in the fall, contributing significantly to his team's success.
However, Hovland's journey was not without its challenges. Throughout the season, he faced difficulties that tested his resolve and forced him to make critical adjustments. His strokes gained approach numbers fell 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. Additionally, he had just one top-10 finish and experienced the worst total strokes gained output of his career.
Reflecting on his struggles and the adjustments he needed to make, Hovland shared candid insights into his mindset and approach. "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.
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."
The challenges Hovland faced on the course also took a toll on his mental game. "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," he admitted. "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 remained optimistic about his progress and 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," he remarked. "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."
Hovland's 2023 season has been a testament to his resilience and dedication. While he faced numerous challenges, his ability to learn from his experiences and make necessary adjustments has set the stage for continued growth and success in the coming years. With his recent accomplishments and newfound clarity, Viktor Hovland is poised to remain a formidable force on the PGA Tour.