Getting Out of His Funk

The Norwegian star is back in contention—and finally seeing progress in his game.

Viktor Hovland’s name is near the top of the leaderboard at the Valspar Championship, but for him, it’s not about the numbers on the scorecard. It’s about the feel of the ball coming off the clubface, the shape of his shots, and the confidence that comes with knowing his game is where it needs to be.

After a rocky start to 2025, Hovland is finally seeing signs of progress. He’s one shot back of leader Jacob Bridgeman at Innisbrook Resort, and for the first time this year, he’s playing on the weekend in a tournament with a 36-hole cut. Let’s dive into how he got here—and why this weekend could be a turning point.

The Struggle: A Year of Searching

Viktor Hovland has been in a funk. Since winning the 2023 FedExCup, the Norwegian star has been searching for the consistency that made him one of the game’s brightest young talents. Last year, he had flashes of brilliance—a third-place finish at the PGA Championship, a runner-up at the St. Jude Championship—but they were just that: flashes.

This year has been more of the same. Hovland missed the cut at The Players Championship after an opening-round 80, and his stats tell the story of a player searching for answers:

• 146th in Strokes Gained: Total
• 174th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green
• 169th in Strokes Gained: Putting

Not exactly the numbers you’d expect from a guy who was once considered a future world No. 1.

The Fix: Back to Basics with Grant Waite

Hovland’s quest to rediscover his game led him back to swing coach Grant Waite, who he worked with briefly last year. The two reconnected after Hovland’s missed cut at Bay Hill, and this time, Hovland was ready to put in the work.

“I just wanted it to be super simple last time,” Hovland said. “I thought I’d find a feel and make it work. But we actually needed to put in more technical work to figure this out. And I think Grant is one of the few guys who can solve it.”

The results? They’re starting to show. Hovland shot a 1-under 70 on Thursday, followed by a 3-under 68 on Friday. He’s hitting more fairways, making more putts, and—most importantly—feeling more in control of his game.

The Turning Point: Friday’s Round

Friday was a breakthrough for Hovland. While his stats didn’t jump off the page—he hit fewer fairways and greens than in Round 1—he gained nearly 2.5 more strokes putting than the day before. More importantly, he felt like he was finally starting to control the ball the way he wanted.

“I still feel like I’m getting the max out of my game right now,” Hovland said. “But for it to be sustainable at that level, I need to strike it a bit better, and it needs to be more predictable. I’m still working through some changes, but it’s nice to see that the things I’m working on are leading to better results immediately.”

Translation: Hovland is hard on himself, but that’s what makes him great. “If I wasn’t hard on myself, I probably wouldn’t be out here,” he said.

The Bigger Picture: A Test of Resilience

This weekend is a big test for Hovland. Can he hold up under the pressure of contention? Can he trust the changes he’s making and let his natural talent shine through?

For Hovland, it’s not just about winning the Valspar Championship. It’s about building momentum heading into the Masters and proving to himself that he’s still one of the best players in the world.

“Yes, it’s awesome being near the top of the leaderboard and having a chance going into the weekend,” he said. “But I truly just care about the things I’m working on. If the ball is behaving and doing the things I want it to do, I’m going to play a lot of great golf in the future.”

Your Turn: Can Hovland Win It?

At Better Golf News, we love a good comeback story. Do you think Viktor Hovland can pull off the win at the Valspar Championship? Or is this just the start of his return to form? Let us know in the comments—and don’t forget to tune in for what’s sure to be an exciting weekend at Innisbrook!