Viktor Hovland, the 2022 Hero World Challenge champion, was anticipated to reclaim his title this year at the Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas, aiming for the $5 million prize fund. The team saw Hovland’s stunning shots in 2022, with a total score of 69, which was sufficient to win the match and put him back in the top ten of the world ranking. Shockingly, the PGA pro’s name is no longer on the Hero World Challenge’s player list, which is unusual.

Rumors have been boiling about Viktor Hovland’s potential jump to LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed league that’s been targeting top talent from the PGA Tour. Despite Hovland’s earlier proclamation that he had no intention of joining LIV Golf, citing that their offer wasn’t enticing enough, speculation persists as he declared the end of his 2024 season without any full disclosure. Interestingly, during a press conference in July, the 27-year-old did acknowledge that LIV Golf is “throwing away a lot of money.”

This statement piqued interest, especially given the recent developments in the golf world. According to Golf Digest, LIV Golf has been aggressively chasing elite players, with a $400 million sign-in price. This has sparked a heated debate about the future of golf, with some players, including Rory McIlroy, speaking out against LIV Golf’s practices.

In an interview with The Times, Viktor Hovland clarified his views, saying, “Many of the players I’ve spoken to want more transparency.” He also underlined the importance of open communication, adding, “And if you claim to be representing our best interests, meet with the people involved.” Hovland’s words indicate that he isn’t wholly opposed to the idea of LIV Golf, but rather, he’s seeking more clarity and transparency from the organization.

While the Norwegian professional’s words indicate an open mind towards LIV Golf, his absence from not only the Tiger Woods event but also the DP World Tour this year, has raised questions about his genuine intentions. Currently, the world’s number eight is dealing with an unexplained injury, which may be the primary cause for his absence from the Hero World Challenge. However, the timing of his absence has prompted questions, considering continuous reports regarding his possible connection with LIV Golf.

The tension between LIV Golf and Hero World Challenge explained

LIV Golf and the Hero World Challenge are like two golfing siblings. On one hand, the Hero World Challenge, a PGA Tour-sanctioned event, has been held since 1999 and has a reputation for attracting outstanding golfers. LIV Golf, on the other hand, is the new child on the block, having received funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The two organizations have a divide as a result of LIV Golf’s attempts to steal elite players from the PGA Tour. But their rivalry escalated majorly due to Hero World Challenge’s OWGR points. The OWGR’s ranking system has made many events feel biased over the years and the list also includes LIV Golf. But luckily, the Hero World Challenge, even after having a 20-field players format, has high OWGR points. With its classic 72-hole stroke play format, the Tiger Woods event fits the OWGR’s qualifications and allows competitors to climb the worldwide rankings.

Whereas LIV Golf, with its 54-hole team format, does not match the OWGR’s criteria, prompting criticism from the LIV authorities for both the PGA-sanctioned event as well as OWGR’s authorities. LIV Golf has been quite vocal about it, and now with the Hero World Challenge nearing fast, fans cannot help but question if LIV Golf has anything to do with Hovland’s sudden undisclosed injury. As the 27-year-old’s prior comments continue to fuel the rumor mill, one thing is clear – the golf world is watching his every move!