Viktor Hovland rekindles the magic by hiring back his former swing coach

Viktor Hovland , the reigning FedEx Cup champion is on a mission to solidify his position among the game’s elite. In his quest for golfing greatness, the 25-year-old Norwegian has undergone several coaching changes in recent years in an effort to fine-tune his already impressive swing and take his game to new heights.

However, Viktor Hovland’s quest for perfection has not been without its challenges. As he experimented with different coaches and techniques, his on-course play suffered, with a noticeable dip in his statistics and performance. Undeterred, Hovland remained committed to his goal, determined to find the right combination of swing mechanics and mental approach that would propel him to the top of the game.

In a move that has already paid dividends, Viktor Hovland recently reunited with his former coach, Joe Mayo, ahead of the 2024 PGA Championship. The decision to rekindle their partnership came after Hovland struggled through the early part of the season, missing cuts and failing to contend in the events he did make.

The Impact of the Reunion in Viktor Hovland’s game

The reunion with Joe Mayo seemed to spark a resurgence in Viktor Hovland‘s game at the 2024 PGA Championship. Hovland carded a 3-under 68 at the first round of the PGA Championship, with five birdies and two bogeys for one of his best rounds of the year.

He started on the back nine and quickly climbed to the top of the leaderboard. Despite a few missteps, Viktor Hovland was pleased with his overall performance, noting that he saw improvement immediately after reuniting with Mayo.

The round marked the first time Hovland had shot a sub-69 since The Sentry in early January, which was also the first event where Mayo was not his coach. Since then, Hovland’s performance has been lackluster, looking like a different player than the one who lifted the FedEx Cup trophy at East Lake last August. He had just one top-20 finish this season, a tie for 19th at the Genesis Invitational.

As if to prove that the first round was no fluke, Viktor Hovland scored 5 under 66 during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship, with one eagle, five birdies and two bogeys.

Hovland’s decision to reunite with Joe Mayo has already paid dividends on the course. The 6-time PGA Tour winner credited his former coach with helping him rediscover the feel and fundamentals that led to his breakout season in 2023.

“He knows my swing really well. He’s really, really smart, and just has a way of looking at my swing and kind of knowing what it is right away,” Hovland said after his opening round. “I felt like I got some really good answers, was able to apply some of the feels right away, and I saw improvement right away.”

The evidence of Viktor Hovland’s improvement was clear in his ball striking and course management on Thursday. He gained strokes on the course in every facet of the game, a stark contrast to his struggles earlier in the season. Hovland’s ability to make quick adjustments and see immediate results is a testament to the strong foundation he and Mayo built during their previous partnership.

As Viktor Hovland looks to build on his strong start to the PGA Championship, he will undoubtedly face challenges and setbacks along the way. But with Joe Mayo back in his corner, Hovland appears poised to regain the form that made him one of the most dominant players on the PGA Tour in 2023.

The reunion between Hovland and Mayo comes at a critical juncture in the young Norwegian’s career. With the FedEx Cup Playoffs and major championships on the horizon, Hovland must continue to refine his game and maintain his focus if he hopes to add to his growing list of accomplishments.