Golf superstar Viktor Hovland has opened up on his constant tinkering after a tumultuous 2024 season.
The Norwegian won the FedEx Cup in 2023 but suffered a dramatic fall from grace in the 12 months that followed.
Hovland was winless on the PGA Tour, with one runner-up finish and two top-tens, slipping from third in the world rankings to eighth.
The 27-year-old has developed a reputation as golf’s Goldilocks, seemingly never satisfied with his swing.
He made the unusual decision to sack coach Joe Mayo and rip up his swing at the end of 2023 despite the roaring success.
The Ryder Cup star then reunited with Mayo after months of dismal results, admitted he made a mistake, but then parted ways again in December.
Hovland started the 2025 PGA Tour season with a T36 finish at The Sentry and made a disappointing start at the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday with an over-par opening round.
Ahead of the DP World Tour season opener, Hovland was seen tinkering with his swing at the range, deploying his old trademark ‘double-pump’ with the driver and practising a slower takeaway.
Despite his struggles, Hovland remains one of golf’s more loveable characters.
On Wednesday, the fan favourite showed why he is so popular with a refreshingly honest interview on his weird approach to the game.
“Yeah, I mean, to be honest with you, I’d like to be a little bit more hopeful,” Hovland told the DP World Tour.
“But it’s been very challenging. Even with the off-season that I had, I was hoping to make a little bit more progress, feel a little bit better about my game. But it’s been… it’s been challenging.
“It’s a hard game, but I do feel like I’m headed in the right direction.
“I mean, I’m certified nuts. There’s gotta be some tinkering going on, but that’s this game.
“At least I have a way better understanding and appreciation for what I used to do, even though there were certain aspects before that I didn’t really love about my swing, like it looked quirky or goofy.
“It’s just taking a little bit longer than I would have liked. But what’s cool is, and I try to tell myself that even last year, I made it to the Tour Championship. I almost won a major, almost won a playoff event, with a swing that I hate to look at on camera, and it just doesn’t feel good when I’m swinging.
“So there’s a lot of good golf in there, but I gotta at least give myself a chance to hit some good shots.”
Speaking in his press conference on Wednesday, Hovland admitted he regrets tinkering so much at the end of 2023, but also that he sees no point lingering on it.
“S*** happens,” Hovland said. “I didn’t go down there and say, no, this is better.
“I made a poor decision. That’s the game of golf for you. It’s hard to play golf 20 years great.”
