2023 has undoubtedly been a momentous year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland. His journey throughout the season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, showcasing both remarkable highs and significant challenges.
Dominating the FedEx Cup Playoffs
Hovland clinched the FedEx Cup Playoffs title, a victory that stands as a testament to his perseverance and skill. Entering the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, his performance was no small feat. Over three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship, he demonstrated steady play and unyielding determination.
His journey to victory included an outstanding final-round 61 at the BMW Championship outside Chicago. This exceptional performance set the stage for his subsequent triumph at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Throughout the postseason, Hovland's scoring average was an impressive 66.17, underscoring his form and consistency during the most critical stretch of the year.
Struggles and Adjustments
Nevertheless, 2023 was not without its struggles for Hovland. One of the standout metrics that highlighted his challenges was his ranking on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green—175th out of 176 players. This statistic was indicative of the difficulties he faced, especially when coupled with his strokes gained approach numbers, which fell to +0.46 per round. Hovland also experienced his worst total strokes gained output of his career, with just one top-10 finish throughout the season.
Reflecting on these challenges, Hovland opened up about the adjustments he attempted in his swing. "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 effort to refine his technique, Hovland inadvertently created additional complications. "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," he admitted. Despite these setbacks, Hovland remained optimistic and committed to understanding and rectifying the issues. "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 Mental Challenge
The psychological impact of his struggles was also significant. "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," Hovland shared candidly. He highlighted the emotional toll of uncertainty and the endless grind. "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 hurdles, Hovland remained focused on improvement. "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." His determination to return to top form underscores his resilience and dedication to his craft. "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."
A Triumph at the Ryder Cup
Hovland's season was capped off by a sensational performance at the Ryder Cup in the fall, further solidifying his standing as one of the sport’s top talents. His ability to shine in one of golf’s most intense and high-pressure environments speaks volumes about his capability and mental fortitude.
Although the season had its share of ups and downs, Viktor Hovland's achievements in 2023 reflect his relentless spirit and his potential for an even brighter future in the world of golf.