Viktor Hovland makes bold split decision ahead of 2024 PGA Tour season
Viktor Hovland has made the surprising decision to part ways with swing coach Joe Mayo despite enjoying perhaps the best year of his career.
Hovland enjoyed a stellar 2023, winning the lucrative FedEx Cup while also playing a key role in Europe’s win over America in the Ryder Cup. Mayo, dubbed ‘Trackman Maestro’, has been credited with a huge impact as his assistance transformed Hovland’s short game.
The short game had been the biggest weakness in Hovland’s game before he linked up with Mayo at the start of last year. Mayo’s impact was immense; Hovland improved 91 positions in strokes gained around the green on the PGA Tour as he established himself as one of the best players in the world.
However, the Golf Channel revealed on Wednesday that Hovland has opted to end his partnership with Mayo. The move has shocked many fans who have been impressed by the Norwegian over the last year, with Mayo helping him climb to World No. 4.
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Hovland reportedly ‘did not want to get into details’ regarding the decision to axe Mayo. Mayo, considered one of the pioneers in the use of the Trackman simulator in golf training, began instructing Hovland at the start of 2023, and the results were instant as he developed a new technique to strike down on the ball more steeply.
The 26-year-old gained new confidence around the greens and did not miss a cut all season. He secured three PGA Tour titles, starting with victory at the Memorial; after that win, the lowest Hovland finished was tied-29th at the Travelers Championship.
Viktor Hovland helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in 2023 (PGA of America via Getty Images)Hovland also finished tied for 25th at the Genesis Scottish Open and went tied for 13th in consecutive events after that. He then found scintillating form, winning back-to-back events culminating in his FedEx Cup triumph after victory in the Tour Championship at East Lake.
Hovland held his nerve to finish 27 under in the Tour Championship, edging out American duo Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark. The Norwegian took home $18 million (£14.3m) for his troubles before combining with Ludvig Aberg to clinch the largest margin of victory in fourball history over Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler at the Ryder Cup in Rome.
It is unclear whether Hovland has appointed a new coach as he tees it up in the season-opening tournament at Kapalua in Hawaii. He will look to beat out Aberg, Jordan Spieth and World No. 1 Scheffler in the event.
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