It’s safe to say Viktor Hovland will not be winning the gold medal at the Olympics after having an utter nightmare in Paris so far.
The popular Norwegian was one of the favourites to do well but has so far had a disaster in his opening two rounds.
Hovland is all the way down in 54th place after carding a really poor four over par second round on a day when scoring, in the main, was low.
The likes of Xander Schauffele and Tommy Fleetwood went low, while Belgium’s Thomas Detry carded a round low of eight under par to go right into contention himself.
Of course, everyone who plays golf will know the struggles of the game and how on one day it can be so easy and another so hard.
For Hovland, who twice found the water in the opening few holes, it was just one of those terrible days and overnight leader Xander Schauffele has had his say on the European’s struggles.
Xander Schauffele reacts to Viktor Hovland’s poor showing at The Olympics
Speaking to the media afterwards, Schauffele was asked about a number of talking points from his own round.
However, he was also asked about Hovland and his struggles, to which he replied that it’s simply part of being a pro golfer.
“It’s just golf. He’ll figure it out. He’s way too stoic, I guess, and too good at golf. I’ve played with Hov, all of us have played worse or better. I’ve played with him at his best. It’s special,” Schauffele said.
“So now is now, and in two or three months, or hopefully in the next couple of weeks for him, he’ll figure it out.
“But I don’t think anybody is going to worry about him.”
The Norwegian isn’t the only player struggling either, with Collin Morikawa admitting he’s coming up short as well.
Hovland hasn’t had the best 2024 and he’s only managed one top ten finish all season which, coincidentally, came at the PGA Championship which Schauffele won.
Hovland has had issues in the past with chipping and earlier in the year he looked a mile off being anywhere near winning before at least recovering his swing a touch.
The Olympics, though, have been a disaster for him and he’ll be wanting to move on quickly.
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