Viktor Hovland doubles down on PGA Tour criticism: "Not the greatest look for a commissioner"

Viktor Hovland says the PGA Tour has "leadership now". 

Brian Rolapp was named as the chief executive of the North American circuit last June and appears to have impressed many members with how he has taken to the role after spending 22 years with the NFL. 

The 53-year-old explained his vision for the PGA Tour's future last week ahead of the 2026 Players Championship, outlining potential changes to the schedule and the idea of a promotion and relegation system. 

Before he began his first state of the tour address, Rolapp praised his predecessor - commissioner Jay Monahan - and implored those in the room to join him in a round of applause. 

But not everyone thinks Monahan is deserving of praise, including a number of high-profile golfers who aren't pleased with how he has navigated the unprecedented disruption in the men's game since LIV's arrival. 

Monahan's biggest mistake of all was cutting a peace deal with LIV's financiers behind the players' back. 

The fallout for Monahan was severe, with the commissioner taking a brief leave of absence owing to stress.

Hovland took Monahan to task after the controversial framework agreement was unveiled and accused the PGA Tour's leadership of arrogance. 

And he has doubled down on his previous criticism of Monahan following a wide-ranging interview with Today's Golfer. 

"At least it does seem like there's leadership now and there's decisions that are being made a bit quicker instead of dragging things out," he told the publication. 

Hovland was referencing the fact it took days to enact Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour after he left LIV Golf. 

"It seems like he at least has a vision for the PGA Tour," Hovland continued. 

"I don't know how long it was but Jay didn't really address the media there for many, many months and I think that's probably not the best look for a commissioner.

"But I don't know all the ins and outs of what's going on so it's hard for me to comment as to what's supposed to be done. 

"I've had enough to deal with in those couple years with whatever's going on in the PGA Tour meetings. I'd rather try to focus on trying to play good golf."

Hovland explains coach split

Hovland is in Palm Harbor, Florida, this week as the defending champion of the Valspar Championship. 

Two weeks ago, it was revealed that Hovland had split from coach Grant Waite and reunited with T.J. Yeaton. 

Hovland, 28, started working with Waite after missing the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year. 

In his pre-tournament news conference on Tuesday, Hovland explained there wasn't really a theory as to why he made the latest change. 

"But the game of golf is constantly evolving and there's new challenges that arise all the time," he said. 

"I feel like I'm obviously a very curious person and there's a lot of smart people out there. 

"If I feel like there's something missing - and I obviously haven't been very happy with the state of my game the last few years - I'm constantly searching to try to hear other perspectives that might resonate with me a little bit more.

"It's not to say that - like I feel like every single person that I work with I've gotten good information, and I don't seek out dump people, I find the smartest people that I deem are out there, and I really listen to 'em and I've learned from a lot of 'em. 

"But I obviously got to filter that information and make that applicable to myself. 

"And there's some information, some bits and pieces kind of resonate with me more than others, and then I kind of, that's how I go about it and try to filter out the information the best that I can."

Hovland has made seven starts this season, with his best finish a top-10 at the WM Phoenix Open. 

He shared 13th last week at TPC Sawgrass.