Viktor Hovland makes unexpected announcement ahead of BMW Championship

Viktor Hovland has confirmed he is back working with his former coach Joe Mayo again on a permanent basis as he looks to finish the 2026 season strongly.

Hovland, 28, revealed the news during an interview with HBO Max ahead of this week's BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in Missouri, the second leg of the Playoffs.

"We are working together again," Hovland told HBO Max, in comments posted by Eurosport Norge. 

"I already feel we have made great progress."

Hovland added: "It feels right... Joe is the main man now." 

The reunion is significant given what Hovland and Mayo achieved together in 2023.

Hovland enjoyed arguably the best season of his career that year, winning three times on the PGA Tour, including the BMW Championship, before going on to win the FedEx Cup.

Hovland's BMW Championship victory came at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois, however, rather than this week's venue of Bellerive Country Club in Missouri.

Hovland reunites with coach who helped him win the FedEx Cup

Hovland and Mayo first worked together throughout his outstanding 2023 campaign, which culminated in victory at the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup.

The pair briefly went their separate ways in early 2024, before Hovland returned to Mayo ahead of that year's PGA Championship.

However, Hovland would soon part ways with Mayo once more, and he would subsequently seek the advice from several other coaches, including former Oklahoma State coach Denny Lucas, 1993 PGA Tour winner Grant Waite and, most recently, T.J. Yeaton.

Now, after another spell of mixed results, the current World No.14 has decided to return to Mayo once again.

And it appears the decision is being driven by more than simply familiarity.

"I've seen a lot of coaches and heard a lot of different things," Hovland told HBO Max.

"There are a lot of smart people out there, but there's something about the way he [Mayo] can take in information, and the way he relates it to me. It really resonates with me."

That relationship could prove crucial as Hovland attempts to rediscover the form and consistency that made him so difficult to beat three years ago.

Hovland arrives at Bellerive with plenty to play for

Hovland enters this week's BMW Championship 22nd in the FedEx Cup standings, meaning he is currently inside the top 30 who will advance to next week's Tour Championship at East Lake.

He knows exactly what is possible from there.

Hovland won the FedEx Cup in 2023 after producing a spectacular run through the Playoffs, with his BMW Championship victory at Olympia Fields helping put him in position to win the season-long title at the Tour Championship. 

This year's BMW Championship is another opportunity to build momentum, although Hovland's recent form has been inconsistent.

The biggest disappointment for Hovland in 2026 were his results in the majors.

Despite a respectable tied 18th at The Masters, Hovland went on to miss the cut at the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open. 

He did, however, capture an eighth PGA Tour title at the end of June when defeating World No.1 Scottie Scheffler in a Monday playoff at the Travelers Championship. 

Hovland has chalked up four top-20 finishes in his last seven starts ahead of this week's BMW Championship, but he has also missed three cuts in that stretch too.

There have nevertheless been clear signs that his best golf remains close, and Hovland will hope a return to Mayo can help him find that level more regularly.

Hovland spoke to reporters on Tuesday about how he wants to return to his best 2023 form in a bid to keep pace with Scheffler, who won his 21st PGA Tour title at the FedEx St Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on Sunday. 

What does Mayo need to fix?

Hovland currently ranks 23rd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: total, suggesting his overall game remains strong enough to compete with the world's best.

However, there are weaknesses that need addressing before the end of the season. 

He ranks 90th in strokes gained: off the tee and 76th in strokes gained: putting, two areas that have contributed to his inconsistent results.

Mayo will therefore have plenty to work on as the pair attempt to sharpen Hovland's game between now and the start of the 2027 season, where the Norwegian will bid for vastly improved performances in the four majors.