Several golf fans baffled by ‘dumb’ decision Viktor Hovland has made ahead of the 2025 PGA Tour season

Add as preferred source on Google

Viktor Hovland appears to be determined to keep everyone on their toes.

It is quite remarkable to think about where Viktor Hovland seemed to be heading into 2024. He had finished in the top 10 in three of the four majors, while he had been a talisman for Europe as they won the 2023 Ryder Cup.

It almost seemed inevitable that he would win a first major in 2024. However, Hovland split with coach Joe Mayo and went on to have a pretty miserable season. He missed the cut at three of the four majors while he did not register a single win.

The Norwegian did get back with Mayo during the season. However, Hovland has confirmed that he has split with Mayo once again ahead of 2025. He cited differences in opinion regarding the way forward for the 27-year-old as the reason for the decision.

How golf fans reacted as Viktor Hovland announced split with coach Joe Mayo

Hovland was one player who seemingly already had a big point to prove in 2025 after such a disappointing season. So it is hardly surprising that plenty of fans have been left baffled by the split with the man who worked with him as he so nearly scaled the summit of the world golf rankings.

One fan wrote: ‘Man, I hope Hovland doesn’t waste his supreme talent bc he felt like tinkering every other day.‘ Meanwhile, another reacted to the news by asking: ‘I love Hovland – but, is it just me or does he seem a bit fickle?‘

Clearly, some were hugely disappointed to hear of Hovland’s comments, with one person simply saying: ‘This is not the news I wanted today’. There is plenty of concern that the youngster is going to stop himself realising his full potential.

Another fan also expressed their dismay, stating: ‘One of my favorite golfers alive just doing dumb things because he is a major tinkerer with his swing is not fun to see‘. Certainly, the confusion surrounding the decision was best summed by the fan who just wrote: ‘What the heck!?‘

Hovland’s alarming numbers on the PGA Tour in 2024

The worry stems from the talent Hovland clearly has. To split with the same coach twice in around a year is alarming to say the least – particularly when he seemed to have some positive results once he started working with Mayo once again.

No-one wants to see Hovland throw his potential away. He may well be vindicated with whatever comes next, but his 2024 season perhaps provided a glimpse of where he can end up when he loses his way.

Hovland was still 13th for strokes gained off the tee and 18th for approach play on the PGA Tour in 2024. However, he was down in 180th for strokes gained around the greens. That simply has to change if he is going to win that first major.

It is not good enough that Hovland had more missed cuts than top 10s on the PGA Tour in 2024.

And if he does not get off to a quick start in 2025, he can surely expect a number of questions over the decision to part ways with Mayo.