Viktor Hovland has spoken candidly about the PGA Tour’s ongoing power struggle with LIV Golf.
Hovland was one of the top golfers who remained loyal to the PGA Tour when LIV Golf drastically altered the golfing landscape by bursting onto the scene in the summer of 2022.
There have been signs that the Norwegian is slowly getting back to somewhere near his best this season.
However, Hovland continues to be cursed by his poor driving of the golf ball.
If he addresses that issue, he will surely be back in the winner’s circle in no time.
Hovland is regarded as one of the hardest practicers in the game, and he has plenty going on off the golf course as well it seems.
The 27-year-old is well-known for his strong opinions on the current state of the game, and he didn’t disappoint with his take on the ongoing PGA Tour and LIV debate.
As golf fans, we deserve to see the world’s best golfer going head-to-head all year round, and not just during the major championships.
Unfortunately though, it has been claimed that a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will ‘never happen’.
Viktor Hovland criticises the PGA Tour
Big news dropped early this week, with Brian Rolapp being announced as the new PGA Tour CEO.
Current PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will officially leave his position at the end of 2026.
However, Hovland seemed to be surprised by that.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner sat down to speak on The Shotgun Start Podcast, and offered his take on how the PGA Tour should try to combat the ongoing threat from LIV.
Hovland explained how the PGA Tour have missed a trick.
He said: “I’m not super surprised that someone is going to take over from Jay. He has been in that role for a while, and after all of the tribulations going on with LIV, the PGA Tour has been pretty hectic. I guess I don’t know how normal it is to announce that you’re leaving and then work for another 18 months, but we’re just going to roll with it I guess. Everything could get better for sure. Especially the messaging over the last couple of years certainly in the face of the LIV tour emerging. I think the PGA Tour didn’t really go with the best strategy.
“I think the Tour certainly had leverage in terms of historically events, and I think they should have honed in a little bit more on that. Just playing the money game, it’s a tough one to compete against the Saudis. I think they should have honed in on the tradition. It’s really cool to come back to places where you know past champions and you’ve seen shots coming down the stretch where you remember. That’s what makes the PGA Tour, that’s why people tune in to watch. The Tour really needs to hone in on that message and create better storylines in my opinion.“
Why Brian Rolapp brings hope to a PGA Tour / LIV merger
The appointment of Rolapp was much needed.
Things had got really stale with Monahan at the helm, and his stubbornness regarding avoiding genuine dialogue with LIV Golf leaders was always going to be a sticking point concerning a potential merger.
However, that could all change now.
The reason for that is the fact that Rolapp shares a relationship with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil.
The two attended the same business school, and know each other fairly well.
Hopefully Rolapp and O’Neil will be able to facilitate some kind of deal between the two parties that will suit everyone.
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