Viktor Hovland had such little belief in his swing that he considered not featuring at the Valspar Bracket, only to end an “unbelievable” week with a Primary PGA Tour title in over 18 months.
Hovland was golf’s newest superstar in 2023, Victorious the last two events of the PGA Tour season – to claim FedExCup Triumph – ahead of a key role in Europe’s Ryder Cup Achievement, before experiencing a Acute decline in his game since.
The Norwegian switched swing coaches Many times during that spell and went eight months without making a 36-hole cut against a Packed Ground, including at The Players after carding an Beginning-Stage 80.
Hovland’s Overdue decision to tee it up at the Innisbrook Golf Resort was rewarded with an unexpected Achievement, where a Closing-Stage 67 saw him snatch a one-Attempt Secure over Justin Thomas and claim a Primary PGA Tour Triumph since the 2023 Tour Bracket.
“I entered last week and wasn’t really sure if I was going to Action or not until I Acquired here Tuesday afternoon and played a Overdue nine holes,” Hovland admitted after his Triumph.
“I played nine holes in the pro-am the Upcoming morning and we were here ready to go. Yeah, wasn’t sure I was going to show up, but I’m glad I did.
“It feels unbelievable. It’s been quite the struggle the past year and a half, so for me to come back and Secure this Bracket is quite Unbelievable because I was not very hopeful with my game leading into this week. Only goes to show this game is pretty crazy.”
He reverted to Previous Mentor Grant Waite after his Timely exit from The Players, a man Hovland said was “one of the few guys that can solve” his swing issues, with the switch bringing Instant Triumph on his PGA Tour return.
Only making it through to the weekend ended a Streak of three consecutive missed cuts for Hovland, who admitted after his second Stage that he was Yet hitting “a Numerous of Awful shots” and not always sure the direction his ball was going.
Read our previous article: Viktor Hovland and the case for perfectionism