2023 has been a rollercoaster year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland, packed with remarkable achievements, challenging setbacks, and a continuous pursuit of improvement. His triumph in securing the FedEx Cup Playoffs title stands out as a significant highlight, culminating in a series of stellar performances that mark the season for Hovland.
FedEx Cup Playoffs Glory
The path to clinching the FedEx Cup was nothing short of extraordinary for Hovland. He played three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship, outperforming his own expectations. This impressive run carried him into the BMW Championship outside Chicago, where he delivered a breathtaking final-round 61, solidifying his status as a top contender.
The momentum from these tournaments propelled Hovland to the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where he ultimately secured the coveted title. His postseason scoring average was an exceptional 66.17, reflecting his consistent excellence on the course.
Ryder Cup Brilliance
Not content with just his FedEx Cup triumph, Hovland extended his top form into the Ryder Cup in the fall. His performance was nothing short of sensational, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest levels of international golf.
Struggles and a Determined Comeback
Despite his successes, Hovland faced significant challenges. Entering the St. Jude Championship, he was ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings. Adding to the competitive pressure, Lucas Glover was notably absent from the week’s tournament.
Hovland encountered technical difficulties with his game, particularly with his strokes gained approach, which fell to +0.46 per round. Furthermore, he ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green, underscoring the difficulties he faced. With just one top-10 finish for the season, it was clear this was a period of trials for Hovland.
Reflections and Resolutions
Hovland's self-assessment reveals a thoughtful and insightful approach to these challenges. "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.
His offseason efforts to amend his swing had unforeseen consequences. "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."
Hovland’s candor about his struggles, coupled with his determination to improve, is palpable. "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."
Looking forward, Hovland remains optimistic, though realistic about the journey ahead. "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."
Hovland's story in 2023 is one of resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence, making his victories all the more meaningful and his future prospects eagerly anticipated by fans and analysts alike.