2023: A Year of Highs and Lows for Viktor Hovland
In the ever-unpredictable world of professional golf, Viktor Hovland's 2023 season epitomized the turbulence of the sport. Demonstrating resilience and skill, Hovland navigated both exceptional highs and challenging lows over the course of the year.
A Season of Triumphs
The Norwegian golfer marked a series of remarkable accomplishments that underscored his potential and tenacity. Hovland clinched the coveted FedEx Cup Playoffs title, a testament to his abilities to perform when the stakes are sky-high. His journey through the playoffs was highlighted by a series of stellar performances, beginning with three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship. This momentum carried forward, culminating in a spectacular final-round 61 at the BMW Championship near Chicago.
Hovland’s prowess didn't wane as he stormed to a commanding victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. His postseason scoring average of 66.17 showcased his consistency and precision during the most pressure-packed moments of the year. The fall season saw Hovland continue his impressive run, delivering a sensational performance at the Ryder Cup.
From Struggles to Success
Despite these triumphs, Hovland's journey was not devoid of struggles. Entering the St. Jude Championship, he was ranked a lowly 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, indicative of the challenges he faced earlier in the season. One notable absence in the tournament was Lucas Glover, which added a layer of unpredictability to the competition.
Indeed, key metrics painted a picture of Hovland's difficulties. His strokes gained approach statistics dropped to +0.46 per round, and he ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green. Additionally, he registered just one top-10 finish throughout the season and experienced the worst total strokes gained output of his career. These numbers reflect the broader context of Hovland’s fluctuating form and his determination to reclaim his top level.
Analyzing His Swing
A significant portion of Hovland's struggles can be attributed to his work on refining his swing. Reflecting on the adjustments he made, Hovland candidly remarked, "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."
Continuing to delve into his offseason technique modifications, Hovland explained, "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 Mental Game
The mental strain of not being in control of his game was palpable for Hovland. He openly discussed the frustrations and doubts that plagued his mind, stating, "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."
Despite the rollercoaster season, Hovland exhibits an unwavering belief in his path forward. "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."
Viktor Hovland's 2023 season offered a compelling narrative of overcoming adversity, mastering resilience, and showcasing brilliance, making it a memorable chapter in the annals of professional golf.