Viktor Hovland has been running low on his career. With no wins and only two top-10 finishes, even 2024 did not work out for him. He is hoping to make a comeback this season, but The Sentry was not exactly his ground. Viktor Hovland suffered an unfortunate freak injury, breaking his toe on a hotel bed stand ahead of The Sentry in Maui. However, the injury wasn’t the only significant setback he faced recently. Before the mishap, Hovland parted ways with his swing coach, Joe Mayo, marking their second split in just 15 months. 

The duo initially separated shortly after Hovland’s FedEx Cup triumph in August 2023 but reunited for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Their renewed partnership lasted only seven months before Hovland opted for a new direction at the close of 2024. Maybe shuffling things a little might work out for the 27 YO. But before we find out what is in store for him, here’s all you need to know about his new coach.

Viktor Hovland has appeared for this week’s Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour with a new golf swing coach, TJ Yeaton. He is currently the Director of Instruction at Belle Meade Country Club. A resident of Nashville, Tennessee, he pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration from Campbell University. He has also been endorsed by top instructors like Tom Conway, Christopher Warner, and Ben Polland. He first began by opening his brand in 2010, which was called TJ Yeaton, and he gave golf lessons, which has now boomed into a brand. 

He began his coaching career back in April 2013, where he began as the Director of Instruction at The Legends Golf Club. He then pushed through the same role in The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club, Shooting Star Jackson Hole, and Atlantic Beach Country Club, before he got into the Belle Meade Country Club. His experience at work might come in handy for Viktor Hovland in the coming months.  

“I’d like to just have it figured out and go home and lay on the couch and just know that my ball is going to go pretty straight,” Hovland said. “When you’re trying to get back to old patterns, you’ve got to work on it. It doesn’t happen on its own. So you’ve got to put some extra work in.” While Hovland is also prepared to put in the extra time, he actually can be reassured. After all, he has chosen the best.

TJ Yeaton has been named Coach of the Year

T.J. Yeaton was named the 2021 Teacher & Coach of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Section PGA. Yeaton, who was elected to PGA membership in 2011, had previously earned recognition with a Section award, having been honored as Teacher of the Year in Indiana in 2018. Yeaton formally received his 2021 Rocky Mountain Section PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Award during the 2022 RMSPGA Annual Meeting in May.

But well, 2024 was an even better year for him. After being an instructor for over fifteen years now, he was, once again recognized as the Coach of the Year. And this time, it was by an even bigger name – Tennessee PGA. He shared the news on his Instagram account on December 15, 2024, and wrote, “It’s an honor to be named the 2024 Tennessee PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year @tennpga To be recognized by my peers is a privilege and reminder of how fortunate I am to be part of such a supportive and talented PGA section here in Tennessee”.

He also thanked his wife, Jordan Yeaton, who has been the strongest pillar of his life. They even have two adorable kids together. Working with Viktor Hovland will be another great milestone for him too. However, the coach likes to keep his private life away from the spotlight, and not much is known about his personal life. He uses his Instagram account, which is yet to bloom with 3148 followers, to share tips to play better golf, and updates about his professional life. He once even appeared on the Bible Caddie as a guest to give out his golf tips, and of course, the episode was a hit!

Do you think JT Yeaton is the missing ingredient that Hovland needed to spur things up? Let us know in the comments section below!