2023 has been a defining year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland, marked by remarkable triumphs and startling challenges. His performance this year can only be described as a testament to resilience and determination, as he navigated both personal and professional adversities to reach the pinnacle of his career.
Hovland's crowning achievement came with his victory in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, a title that signifies consistency and excellence across the season. His road to this accomplishment was paved with standout performances, notably his three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship and an exhilarating final-round 61 at the BMW Championship outside Chicago. The Norwegian sensation capped off his season by securing the Tour Championship in Atlanta, underscoring his dominance in the postseason where he boasted an impressive scoring average of 66.17.
However, Hovland's journey this year was not without its hurdles. Entering the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, his season seemed precariously balanced. Despite his staggering achievements, his strokes gained approach numbers had dipped to +0.46 per round, and he was ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green. Additionally, with just one top-10 finish throughout the season, it was clear that there were underlying issues Hovland needed to address.
Reflecting on his struggles, Hovland provided insight into the technical challenges he faced. "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. This adjustment backfired, throwing off the delicate mechanics of his swing and leading to inconsistent ball flights. "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 candidness with which Hovland spoke about his challenges is a testament to his commitment to the game and personal growth. He did not shy away from admitting the mental toll that his struggles had taken on him. "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," he shared.
Despite the rocky patches, Hovland’s triumphant moments have overshadowed his struggles. His sensational performance at the Ryder Cup this fall is a notable highlight, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion on one of golf’s biggest stages. Each of these successes tells a story of a golfer who, despite facing significant challenges, has learned to embrace the process of 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. 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," he expressed optimism about his journey forward.
This year has taught Hovland invaluable lessons about patience, resilience, and the importance of understanding one's game. As he gears up for future tournaments, the golfing world keenly watches, eager to see how he will continue to evolve and delight fans with his undeniable talent and tenacity.