Viktor Hovland's honest Tour Championship admission: "It almost p----- me off more"

Viktor Hovland joked being back at the Tour Championship almost "pisses me off more" as it reminds him how he used to play.

The Ryder Cup star has fond memories of East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, having been crowned the FedEx Cup champion in 2023.

Back then, Hovland was undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and rode the momentum of a four-win season into helping Europe defeat the United States in Italy, going 3-1-1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

A maiden major championship seemed on the horizon, but Hovland's form dipped and it saw the Norwegian go through a number of golf coaches.

Hovland showed he was on the right path with a playoff victory over Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers Championship and has a golden opportunity to win the FedEx Cup again.

At the halfway stage of the $40m season finale, Hovland is tied for the lead with American Ryan Gerard on 10-under.

Asked if the fond memories are helping, Hovland said: "It almost pisses me off more. 

"Because I know that, oh, I used to be able to do that, and now it feels a lot more difficult to do that.

"It's not so much that I'm hitting those crazy wayward shots right now, it's just that I know when I'm swinging it doesn't feel quite right.

"I have to compensate a little bit more than I'd like to, but I'm able to keep the ball straight.

"As long as the ball is going straight, I know I can score. That's kind of where we are."

Hovland said he's not chasing perfection as he knows he'll never get there.

"I'm chasing what I've done for most of my career," he said. "I know how good it is, and I know that statistically it's not the same.

"I can feel it's not the same. It doesn't look the same. It doesn't produce the same numbers. So it's not the same.

"It's not like I'm being unreasonable and confabulating things, but I know there's always a solution, and I'm trying to resolve the problems that I have and get back to a position to where I can play like this week in, week out. That's the goal."

Hovland said victory this week wouldn't really make up for his performances in the majors this year.

After posting a top-20 finish at The Masters, Hovland missed cuts at the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open.

"I've already won this year, won a signature event, and in good position now to have another good look at a FedEx Cup trophy," said Hovland.

"So that's kind of the focus now. Can't really change the past.

"It's all about kind of looking at this week and then going forward and getting ready for next year."