Viktor Hovland unveils new swing coach after firing last instructor
PGA Tour superstar Viktor Hovland refused to discuss why he decided to part ways with his long-time swing coach ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Viktor Hovland refused to tell reporters why he decided to part ways with his long-time swing coach Joe Mayo.
Reports surfaced in January before The Sentry that the Norwegian PGA Tour superstar had split with the golf instructor.
The coach had been credited with helping Hovland radically transform his game that saw him dominate the 2022-2023 season.
Before Mayo came into the picture Hovland made no secret of his struggles. Particularly with his short game. "I just suck at chipping," Hovland said.
But under Mayo's tutelage, Hovland was crowned the FedEx Cup champion before he picked up 3.5 points for Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Hovland hasn't appeared to be himself since the turn of the year and his performances on the course so far are frustrating the golfer.
He tied for 22nd at The Sentry, finished T-58 at the washed out AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and tied for 19th at the Genesis Invitational.
In recent months Hovland has been accustomed to competing at the top of the leaderboard.
"Just haven't been able to hit the shots that I want to," Hovland told reporters ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Hovland said he's been playing defensive golf instead of being aggressive and confident. "That's basically what I just got to get back to," he said.
"If I can stand on the range or on a golf course, see a shot and execute that shot, that gives me confidence."
Hovland also revealed that he's turned to Grant Waite after splitting with Mayo. He did not want to answer any questions on the split.
A reporter did ask Hovland: "Why have you jumped around to so many different coaches in the last few years on your swing?"
"I'm very curious guy," Hovland replied.
"I like to ask questions. Sometimes when you ask a question and you get some answers, that leads you down a different path and opens up some new questions and you pursue a different path.
"I just want to kind of see where it goes. I always like to improve and expand my knowledge, and it just happened to lead me down to Grant Waite."
Hovland said the fact Waite is also a PGA Tour winner is beneficial.
Waite's notable students include the likes of LIV's Charles Howell III, Trevor Immelman, Brian Gay and Mike Weir.
SI have reported that Mayo actually introduced Hovland to Waite.
He told the publication: "Credit to Joe, because golf instruction isn't so black and white, there isn't always a wrong or correct answer, sometimes when you're dealing with a good player, you want to make sure you’re giving sound advice
"Joe would call a couple of guys, not too many—only the ones he trusted—and Grant was one of those guys."
The Arnold Palmer Invitational represents Hovland's first start since he hit criticised the PGA Tour and LIV Golf over the protracted schism in the men's game.
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