2023 has proven to be an extraordinary year for Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland. From battling through the ranks to claiming some of the most prestigious titles in golf, Hovland's journey has been filled with both scrutiny and celebration.
Entering the season with challenges, Hovland was initially ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings going into the St. Jude Championship. Despite this rather middling position, Hovland demonstrated immense resilience and focus. He completed three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship, setting a tone for what would become a remarkable series of achievements.
One of the most memorable moments came during the BMW Championship outside Chicago, where Hovland recorded a final-round 61. This performance not only showcased his skill but also his ability to deliver under pressure. Riding on the momentum, Hovland went on to secure the coveted Tour Championship in Atlanta, an accomplishment that cemented his status among the golfing elite.
His postseason scoring average, an impressive 66.17, is reflective of the consistent prowess he exhibited. Yet, Hovland’s journey this year has not been without its obstacles. Speaking candidly about his struggles with his swing, Hovland explained, "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."
Despite his remarkable achievements, Hovland’s season was also marked by some of the lowest points in his career. He had the worst total strokes gained output of his career and managed just one top-10 finish in the season. His strokes gained approach numbers fell to +0.46 per round, and he ranked 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green.
Reflecting on the changes he made to his technique during the offseason, Hovland shared, "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."
Indeed, the mental fortitude required to navigate such highs and lows is substantial. Hovland elaborated on the psychological aspect of these challenges, 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."
Hovland's dedication to overcoming these obstacles is emblematic of his larger approach to the sport. He remains optimistic about his progress, stating, "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 sensational performance at the Ryder Cup in the fall capped off a year of significant growth and achievement. While Lucas Glover was notably absent from the week’s tournament, Hovland stood out as a key player, demonstrating that the struggles of the past can often lead to future triumphs when met with determination and a willingness to adapt. His journey in 2023 is a testament to his resilience, skill, and unwavering commitment to the game of golf.