Viktor Hovland had the best year of his career in 2023, winning the FedEx Cup and BMW Championship, as well as being a key contender at last year’s PGA Championship.

It was a real shock when Hovland announced he would part ways with swing coach Joey Mayo, who was the key to the Norwegian’s substantially improved short-game last year.

Up until this past weekend, Hovland had played in eight PGA TOUR events and had failed to record a Top 10 in any of them.

In fact, he finished inside the Top 20 only once.

His swing was lost, and his short game had relegated to its previous look, as he had ranked a dead-last 186th in Strokes Gained Around the Green.

Last week, Hovland made a call to Mayo, who told him to fly to Las Vegas for a session. Within a half hour, Mayo had Hovland’s game back to its world-class level. It showed this past weekend at the PGA Championship.

Hovland finished just two back of winner Xander Schauffele, and had plenty of chances on the back nine to seal the deal and take home the Wanamaker, along with his first Major Championship victory. A few close putts were the difference.

“Det är så läckert”

Viktor Hovland med en överraskande eagle

PGA Championship just nu på Viaplay, V Sport Golf och TV6 pic.twitter.com/WgWeJfWIbJ

— Viaplay Golf (@ViaplayGolfSE) May 17, 2024

Struggling with his game and his confidence, Hovland admitted he considered not playing the PGA Championship this year:

“I was almost considering pulling out of this event just because I wasn’t playing good at all.”

Hovland credits Mayo for helping him find his game once again because, at one point, he was not sure what to do. However, Mayo’s expertise seems to work well with Hovland’s game. Earlier in the week, Hovland discussed his decision to return to Mayo:

“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. (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.”

Viktor Hovland is back. pic.twitter.com/V8uZVNeoRp

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 19, 2024

Now that Mayo has started working with Hovland once again, his TOUR colleagues should be aware of what they may be dealing with for the rest of the year. Hovland’s impeccable finish to the 2023 campaign was one to marvel, as his game was complete in nearly every way possible.

This could be the year Viktor Hovland wins a Major Championship, and he may have to consider sticking with what works as we move forward in 2024.

Cover Image via Golfweek