Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from the Charles Schwab Challenge. Last year, he was T-16 at Colonial. The Norwegian looked to be back in form at the PGA championship. Hovland tied for fourth at Valhalla. The 26-year-old has also returned to his previous instructor, Joe Mayo, whom he fired ahead of 2024. 

Hovland has played only eight events so far, most of the time finding his name at the far end of the leaderboard. Hovland is 50th in strokes gained: approach to green, 60th in strokes gained: putting, and 59th in tee-to-green. On the PGA Tour, he was 11th best in sg: approach last season and 5th in tee-to-green last year. 

Previously, Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from the WM Phoenix Open, and the RBC Heritage as well. However, that had more to do with his lackluster game, which he wanted to improve at home. A close aid revealed that Hovland was feeling cursed and confused after a turbulent run of form, mostly due to his horrible short game.

Interestingly, Hovland admitted from Valhalla, that he “almost considering pulling out of this event just because I wasn’t playing good at all.” However, the Norwegian, looked to have salvaged his game from the brink of disaster. The 26-year-old was 5th in sg: approach, 5th in tee-to-green, and 7th in off-the-tee at Valhalla. Naturally, fans see no reason why Hovland wouldn’t capitalize on that the next week unless he is interested in a LIV Golf move. 

Viktor Hovland will be in LIV Golf, fans boldly proclaim

Previously, Hovland confirmed that LIV Golf officials reached out to him. However, he considered the 54-hole league to be detrimental to his future. Nevertheless, Hovland hasn’t shied away from lambasting the PGA Tour officials, for their ‘arrogance.’ The reigning Tour Championship winner also said those in upper echelons have done a ‘damn bad job’.

But Hovland’s final round pairing with LIV Golfer Bryson DeChambeau made some fans think, the Norwegian is convinced that the PIF-funded side will offer a better competitive edge. One pro-LIV account tweeted, “Played the weekend with Bryson, feels the power & pull of LIV Golf.”  DeChambeau was the lone LIV golfer to come within the top 10 at the PGA Championship netting a solo second. On the other hand, three LIV players were in the top 10 at the Masters. 

Most LIV Golf switches have happened after shock withdrawals. Adrian Meronk pulled out of the Farmers Insurance Open, citing an illness. A few days later, the Polish star was confirmed to join Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-backed side. Some on the Internet believe Hovland is going to pull off a similar stunt. “Hey LIV golf… what’s upppppp”, “Viktor going to be on LIV soon!”, “LIV announcement incoming” comments like this filled PGA Tour Communication’s announcement tweet.

Others, however, opined it’s more about his game than his interest in LIV. One fan tweeted, “Could’ve kinda liked to see him play just to keep the momentum, but I also get it. Hopefully he just keeps working with Mayo during the couple weeks off before The Memorial.”

There have been no words of confirmation from the six-time PGA Tour winner. Viktor Hovland finished two shots behind the eventual champion, Xander Schauffele, after a bogey on the 18th when he needed a birdie. Wesley Bryan will take the place of Hovland in the $9.1 million event.