2023 has been an eventful year for Norwegian golf sensation Viktor Hovland. His journey throughout the season has seen its ups and downs, a true rollercoaster that culminated in significant achievements and moments of introspection.
Triumphs on the Green
Viktor Hovland's year was marked by incredible highlights, none more significant than clinching the prestigious FedEx Cup Playoffs title. His performance saw three consecutive under-par rounds at the St. Jude Championship, setting a strong foundation as he moved forward. The brilliance continued as he carded an astounding final-round 61 at the BMW Championship, held just outside Chicago, demonstrating his unparalleled skill and composure under pressure. Hovland capped off his impressive run by securing the Tour Championship in Atlanta. His postseason scoring average, an exceptional 66.17, underscored his dominance in these critical stages of the year.
Hovland's splendid form extended beyond individual tournaments. At the Ryder Cup, his sensational performance was a key highlight of the fall, showcasing his ability to compete and excel on the world stage.
Facing Challenges
The journey was not without its challenges. Entering the St. Jude Championship ranked 57th in the FedEx Cup standings, Hovland had to navigate through a field where any misstep could prove costly. Interestingly, the tournament was marked by the absence of competitor Lucas Glover, opening up the field even further.
Hovland's game exhibited some areas for improvement, notably his strokes gained approach numbers falling to +0.46 per round. His ranking in strokes gained around the green was particularly troubling, placing 175th out of 176 players on the PGA Tour. Despite these statistics, Hovland's determination remained unshaken. Reflecting on his season, he noted, "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."
Technical Adjustments and Reflections
The 2023 campaign also included a period of technical adjustments for Hovland. He openly discussed the conscious effort he made in the offseason to tweak his swing, aiming to cut the ball more. This adjustment, however, had unintended 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," Hovland explained. This period of trial and error became a learning process for him, as he added, "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."
Hovland's introspection highlighted the mental challenges of the game. The uncertainty and lack of control he experienced were major impediments. “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,” he admitted. Yet, his focus on understanding and addressing the mechanics of his swings provided him a clear path toward improvement.
Aiming Forward
Despite only having one top-10 finish in the season and facing the worst total strokes gained output of his career, Hovland's resolve to improve never wavered. He acknowledged the work ahead but remained optimistic about his future play. "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," he remarked. This optimism, grounded in a methodical approach to improving his game, demonstrated Hovland's resilience as an athlete dedicated to getting back to his best.
Hovland's 2023 journey in professional golf encapsulates both triumph and tenacity. His season showcased the resilience required to compete at the highest level, the courage to make and learn from adjustments, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. With the data and insights gained this year, Hovland is surely on track to overcome his challenges and continue to inspire on the greens.