Viktor Hovland Issues His Final LIV Golf Verdict as Golf’s ‘Long-Term’ Future Seems Uncertain

Being part of the PGA Tour for the last four years, Viktor Hovland has been honest through and through. Whether talking about the PGA Tour’s leadership in the past or now about the future looks dicey. Recently, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan declared the Tour the ultimate winner and a league surpassing LIV Golf.

However, after Hovland described a few things that may have impressed him regarding the PGA Tour, it seems clear that the Norwegian pro thinks that for the long-term future of the Tour, the return of the LIV Golf pros might play a crucial role, unlike what Monahan has expressed in his press conference.

Viktor Hovland doesn’t know what the fans want

At the pre-match presser for THE PLAYERS Championship, Viktor Hovland gave a detailed answer to the question on things that impressed him in the last months on the PGA Tour. Surprisingly, he hasn’t “given it too much thought.” However, the latest addition of the signature events on the PGA Tour has been fruitful, per Hovland. Talking about the same, he said, “They have been great for the players that are in the tournaments. I don’t know if that’s necessarily what the fans want to watch. I don’t know if it’s long-term going to produce a better product or not.”

However, after hearing Lucas Glover’s comment on the signature events being less competitive, Hovland weighed in his thoughts on the matter. Although he agreed that the top players were at these events, Hovland said, “The fields are more competitive when you have bigger field sizes.” Stating, “That’s just the fact. There’s a reason why we’re playing THE PLAYERS Championship with 144 guys.”

However, the six-time PGA Tour winner reiterated his stance on the fans’ experiences with such events. Thus, he concluded, “I just don’t know what trajectory we’re on.” Additionally, Hovland talked about the fan’s engagement and lack of LIV Golf pros at the PGA Tour events. Hovland said that it depends “upon the fact of what happens to the LIV guys; do they come back eventually.” Furthermore, he pressed, “I don’t think it’s a great outlook if we keep being divided for 10, 15 years,” asserting that “there has to be some kind of decision being made in the future” to bring golf together.

These views on the PGA Tour’s future came as Hovland described his views on the leadership of Monahan. Before it, he had declared that the Tour had done a “damn bad job” as they tried to merge with PIF, and the players were informed later. However, time has passed, and with the PGA Tour growing, has Hovland’s thoughts about the leadership changed?

Viktor Hovland holds the leadership accountable

The Norwegian pro vocalized that he wasn’t disappointed in the leadership of Jay Monahan. However, Hovland wanted Monahan to own up to his mistakes. The 26-year-old shared his perspective on the PGA Tour commissioner and said, “I will want a person like that to take some ownership” instead of “sweeping it under the rug.”

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On a lighter note, Hovland gave a subtle hint about what he was expecting the commissioner to do, he said, “We all make mistakes.” But Monahan has “got to own up to it and say, hey, we’re trying to do better here, and this is how we’re going to do it.” To a certain degree, Monahan has tried to rectify his mistakes and it looks like the PGA Tour Commissioner’s efforts have been noticed by many including Hovland.

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