PGA Tour star Viktor Hovland makes curious decision

PGA Tour golfer Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from next week's WM Phoenix Open.

The North American circuit heads to TPC Scottsdale over 6-9 February and it's an event the Norwegian typically plays. 

In three previous appearances at the PGA Tour's biggest party, the Norwegian has two missed cuts and finished T-42 in 2023.

But he has decided not to play this year and has been replaced in the field by first alternate Paul Waring. 

England's Waring earned his dual membership last November via the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai. 

The official PGA Tour communications team confirmed Hovland's withdrawal on 1 February whilst he was playing his third round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

The decision is a curious one given Hovland returned to form in California. 

Hovland told reporters in his news conference last Wednesday that he 'sucked' at golf right now but proceeded to shoot a bogey-free 7-under 65 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in round one. 

Scottie Scheffler will headline the field in Arizona. 

Other notable players in the field include Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark, Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Tom Kim, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Sahith Theegala, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.

Nick Taylor is the defending champion. 

Hovland's struggles

Viktor Hovland has been struggling with his game since his remarkable 2023 season that saw him crowned the FedEx Cup champion.

He also helped Europe to Ryder Cup victory at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.  

He split with his long-time swing coach Joe Mayo before reuniting on the eve of last year's PGA Championship at Valhalla. 

The pair have now split once again and Hovland, for the most part, wants to go it alone. 

He said earlier in the week that he could not foresee a scenario where he doesn't stick with a coach for a protracted period of time. 

"I don't think you should stick to an idea like forever," he said.

"I think just the idea of sticking to something in perpetuity is not a good way of reasoning."

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