Struggling Viktor Hovland makes big decision ahead of US PGA
Viktor Hovland has reportedly decided to go back to the swing coach he fired at the turn of the year, according to a report.
Viktor Hovland has reportedly started working with his long-time swing coach again months after firing the instructor.
Hovland sacked Joe Mayo at the turn of the year and refused to disclose the reason why.
In the months that followed the PGA Tour superstar has been all over the place with his game.
The reigning FedEx Cup champion and European Ryder Cup hero failed to register a single top-10 finish before missing his first cut of the season at the 2024 Masters.
Hovland was filmed getting extremely frustrated at Augusta National.
He missed a putt from a matter of inches, lobbed his golf ball into the water and we didn't see him again until he resurfaced at last week's Wells Fargo Championship.
Hovland told reporters before the 2024 Players that he wanted to change things up as, despite being a pillar of consistency, he didn't like his ball flight.
"It's going to sound a little dumb," Hovland said. "But I actually prefer my golf swing better in 2021. I feel like my ball-striking was the best."
Despite making those comments, Hovland reportedly asked the instructor Grant Waite to look at his swing. The renowned Dana Dahlquist has also been spotted with Hovland.
But on the eve of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla, it has been confirmed by NLU that Hovland is back with Mayo.
Mayo also gave his first interview with the publication after the split.
He had previously declined numerous requests to talk about the situation.
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Judging from the comments he made to NLU, it appears that Mayo's 'strong personality' perhaps had something to do with it.
Mayo stressed that when Hovland called him last November to inform the instructor he wanted to go in a different direction, the golfer was nothing but appreciative.
"There was no fighting, no animosity, no bad blood," Mayo said.
He added: “I admit that I have a very strong personality. "I am hard to take in large doses. That’s one of my many many flaws in life.
"I realize being around me (for) a year full time, like we were, is probably pretty tough. Without question, I know I am hard to handle for a long period of time. When he said he wanted to do it on his own, I was relieved.”
Hovland is playing the first two rounds of the PGA Championship alongside Cameron Smith and Hideki Matsuyama.
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