‘We Need Transparency’: Viktor Hovland Makes a Bold Demand to Jay Monahan Led PGA Tour

Viktor Hovland didn’t think it would blow up this much. After all, he spoke in Norwegian on a podcast in his home country. But a PGA Tour player blasting the management for doing a “damn bad job” while also being linked with LIV Golf was always meant to go bang. Now that it has exploded, Hovland wants to clarify his stance.

The Norwegian makes one thing clear. “I’m not trying to just say these comments to the dog on the tour.” Rather, the six-time PGA Tour winner claims there is much room for improvement. But that can’t happen unless the problems are addressed and brought out in the open.

Viktor Hovland wants to fix, not burn down the place

Hovland has come to Pebble Beach to tee up at his second PGA Tour event this season. Sitting with former PGA Tour pro Scott Verplank for a one-on-one chat, he reaffirms his position. “First, I want to improve the Tour.” The PGA Tour has gone through multiple changes in the wake of LIV Golf’s emergence.

The $20 million-purse signature event that he is going to play next came courtesy of the breakaway league. Jay Monahan and Co. have also banned any players who bolted to the other side. A few decisions didn’t sit well with the 26-year-old. Speaking at the Fore Podcast earlier, Hovland claimed that “there is a great deal of arrogance behind it all.”

The PGA Tour’s predicament was not lost on him as well. So Hovland feels players should get together and talk collectively about how we go about that business.” Adding further, Hovland provides more context to his previous comments. “But first of all, we need to get the facts out in the open, we need transparency, and we need to talk about, okay, this has not been handled in a good way.” Transparency is also what PGA Tour pros wanted a month ago.

However, the 2023 Tour Championship winner’s dissatisfaction with the current state, coupled with Greg Noman’s interest in the rising star, raised speculation that Viktor Hovland would leave the Tour, following in Jon Rahm’s footsteps. The Norwegian himself admitted that he had offers from LIV Golf. So is he leaving?

Will Hovland leave the PGA Tour?

Naturally, Hovland’s previous comments were read as signs of his upcoming departure. Hovland, though, categorically denied that he was tempted by PIF’s riches. Despite that, skipping all three events after the Sentry once again prompted some to claim that the Scandinavian might have changed his mind.

Read More: Mayakoba Calls, but LIV Golf Still Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The rumors prompted the Head of Communication for Norwegian Golf to reach out to Hovland for confirmation. The 26-year-old, this time too, brushed aside the hot air with a two-word riposte: “Not true.” Currently, his only concern is, “How do we move past this and make the PGA Tour the best product it can be? Because it is great, but it could be a lot better.” Viktor Hovland seems to be personally invested in the circuit he plays on. Will Jay Monahan take notice?

Watch This Story | “Won the Chip”: Viktor Hovland’s To-Go Dinner, Post His Mindblowing Triumph, Draws the Attention of a $51,780,000,000 Fast Food Giant