Viktor Hovland provides huge update amid LIV Golf speculation
Viktor Hovland confirms new golf coach is ex PGA Tour player amid latest LIV Golf rumours.
Viktor Hovland has turned to former PGA Tour player Grant Waite as his new golf coach following his split from Joe Mayo, according to Eurosport's Espen Blaker.
Hovland, 26, fired Mayo at the end of 2023, a season that saw him become the FedEx Cup champion for the first time in his career.
The European Ryder Cup star told Golf Channel earlier this month he "did not want to go into details" about his split with Mayo.
In another report by Sports Illustrated, similar sentiments were felt by Mayo himself.
Mayo, who is dubbed the 'Trackman Maestro' in golf's inner circles, has been credited with helping Hovland drastically change his fortunes, particularly with his short game.
Hovland previously declared he 'sucked at chipping' when he first came out on Tour, but his improvements in this department is clear for all to see having climbed 90 rungs up the SG: around the green ladder.
Yet despite enjoying his greatest season to date on the PGA Tour with three victories culminating in FedEx Cup glory, Hovland has rung the changes for 2024 by turning to former PGA Tour player Grant Waite.
New Zealander Waite, 59, captured his sole PGA Tour title at the 1993 Kemper Open.
Waite played on the PGA Tour for 13 seasons and he is now considered one of the best golf coaches in the world.
He has worked with numerous PGA Tour players in recent times, most notably Charles Howell III who acted as Hovland's mentor when he first burst onto the scene in 2019.
In a similar manner to Mayo, it is understood Waite's coaching philosophy is based on a lot of mathematics and physics.
Hovland has known Waite for some time and according to Eurosport, Hovland met up with him to start working together properly just after The Sentry in Hawaii earlier this month.
Just saw that Viktor Hovland is now working with Grant Waite
PS: Old video of Hovland that I took at the 2022 PGA at Southern Hills pic.twitter.com/Zk63IQ2X4w— Ryan Mouque (@ryanmouquegolf) January 16, 2024
The latest update on Hovland's new golf coach comes during a period where there has been heavy speculation the Norwegian is headed to LIV Golf.
But these rumours are false according to popular social media account, Flushing It.
At least for the moment.
Flushing It tweeted:
Hovland is back in competitive action on the PGA Tour at next week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
According to reports, it is understood Adrian Meronk is going to turn down his PGA Tour card by becoming the next player to join LIV Golf.
Meronk, who controversially snubbed a place on Luke Donald's European Ryder Cup last season, is likely to join Martin Kaymer's Cleeks GC.
It is believed Tyrrell Hatton is "close" to joining Jon Rahm's LIV Golf team, according to SI's Bob Harig.
Earlier today it was confirmed last week's PGA Tour winner Nick Dunlap has left the amateur ranks to turn professional.
Dunlap, who entered the record books following his shock victory at The American Express, revealed his latest news in an emotional press conference at the University of Alabama.
The 20-year-old has decided to take up his PGA Tour membership through to 2026, and he will make his pro debut at Pebble Beach.
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