2023 has been a rollercoaster year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland, marked by significant highs and notable challenges. The year saw Hovland clinch the prestigious FedEx Cup Playoffs title, a triumph that signifies his resilience and talent in a sport defined by its unpredictability.
One of Hovland's remarkable feats included completing three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship. This performance highlighted his consistency and skill, propelling him forward in the competition. Making his mark further, he achieved a stunning final-round 61 at the BMW Championship outside Chicago, a feat that underscored his capacity to deliver under pressure.
The culmination of his efforts came at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where Hovland secured the victory. His postseason scoring average was an impressive 66.17, reflecting a sustained level of high performance throughout the critical stages of the season.
Adding to his list of achievements, Hovland had a sensational performance at the Ryder Cup in the fall, showcasing his ability to excel in team formats and on the international stage.
However, Hovland's journey was not without its hurdles. He entered the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, indicating the uphill battle he faced. His statistics presented a mixed picture; while his strokes gained approach numbers stood at +0.46 per round, he ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green. This disparity highlights the areas of his game that required improvement.
Despite these challenges, Hovland's determination remained evident. He had only one top-10 finish in the season and experienced the worst total strokes gained output of his career. Reflecting on his struggles, Hovland shared insights into his mindset and the technical adjustments in his game.
"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," Hovland explained. This candid reflection highlights the intricate balance between maintaining one's strengths and striving for progress.
Expounding on his efforts to refine his technique, Hovland said, "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 journey to regaining his form has not been easy. "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," Hovland acknowledged. His candidness about the mental and technical aspects of his game gives a glimpse into the pressures faced by elite golfers.
Despite these hurdles, Hovland remains optimistic about the 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."
Lucas Glover's absence from the week's tournament was another storyline, but it was Hovland's journey that captured the imaginations of many. His year encapsulates the highs and lows synonymous with professional sports, with triumphs that command admiration and struggles that humanize him.
As Viktor Hovland continues to refine his game, the golfing community watches with bated breath, anticipating the next chapter in the young golfer's already illustrious career. With his relentless pursuit of improvement and unwavering commitment to his craft, one can only expect more memorable moments in the future. For now, 2023 remains a testament to his resilience, talent, and the unyielding spirit of a true competitor.