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via Reuters

via Reuters

Viktor Hovland says no to LIV Golf yet again! The golfer had earlier expressed his intention to play on the PGA Tour back in December when the rumors surrounding his defection made the rounds in the golf world. However, it seems he came forward to deny the speculations of him jumping ships to the Saudi-backed league once more.

A tweet was shared by TRACKING HOVLAND, a fan page dedicated to the golfer, on X (formerly known as Twitter). It mentioned how “the head of communications for the Norwegian golf association contacted Viktor to find out if there was any truth to LIV rumors.” The athlete, as per the reports, denied the same, as he told Tom Rosenvinge, “Not true.”

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Hovland’s vehement denial of LIV Golf defection

“I totally understand why he left,” said the 26-year-old golfer when asked about Jon Rahm’s move back in 2023. Continuing on the same, he said, “That’s a lot, a lot of money,” all the while criticizing the PGA Tour for its mismanagement. Although he expressed his dissatisfaction with the same, the athlete did not lean towards LIV Golf at all.

The professional went ahead to update his schedule for the 2024 season while disclosing how he would start off the same at The Sentry. Well, stick to his words; he did! The Norwegian took part in the limited field event and finished T22, raking in 2.76022 points on the OWGR for the same. Now, he is set to take part in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which will kick off on February 1st.

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That wasn’t all! The 6X PGA Tour champ was very satisfied with the position he is currently in. Elaborating on the same, he mentioned how the Saudi-backed league is not the right option for him. Moreover, he also divulged how he appreciates the competition that the men’s circuit he is a part of at the moment, while confessing that he is not a big fan of LIV’s format, alluding to its no-cut style.

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Continuing with his response, he said, “If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer.” While expressing his belief, Hovland also disclosed how he would probably not join the alternate tour at all, as he said, “No, I doubt that,” when asked about the same.

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This time around, he didn’t give a long speech or anything but just finished the same in two words, putting a stop to the speculations that were being generated by the rumor mills of the industry. Well, it seems LIV Golf needs to pack up their suitcases and leave Hovland’s table alone from now on!

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