6x PGA Tour winner Viktor Hovland LABELS golf ‘soulless’ despite $30 million earnings

Viktor Hovland's recent comments shed light on his concerns about the prevailing emphasis on monetary gains in golf.

6x PGA Tour winner Viktor Hovland LABELS golf ‘soulless’ despite $30 million earnings

Viktor Hovland (Pic Credit: Imago)

Professional golfer Viktor Hovland has been making waves both on and off the course. In 2023, Hovland secured three victories on the PGA Tour, ultimately clinching the prestigious FedEx Cup. Alongside his triumphs, he played a pivotal role in Europe’s resounding victory over the United States in the Ryder Cup.

Hovland’s remarkable achievements catapulted him to the third spot in the Official World Golf Ranking. Despite his remarkable success, Hovland remains critical of the current state of professional golf as he highlighted concerns about the sport’s emphasis on monetary gains.

YouTube video

Hovland’s ascent to the upper echelons of golfing stardom has been accompanied by substantial financial rewards. His earnings surpassed $30 million in a single year. However, amidst the glittering trophies and lucrative paydays, Hovland finds himself disillusioned with the prevailing ethos of the game.

FS Video

Viktor Hovland said, “Obviously, the paycheck is pretty nice as well, but if that’s what you’re remembering by the end of the week, that feels a little bit soulless, in my opinion.”

This statement was made in the context of the recent influx of money in the sport due to the emergence of LIV Golf and the PGA Tour’s deal with the Strategic Sports Group.

In a candid interview, Hovland expressed his reservations about the direction in which professional golf is heading. He articulated concerns about the commodification of the sport, lamenting the erosion of its soulful essence in pursuit of monetary gains.

Despite relishing his financial success, Hovland underscores the importance of preserving the game’s heritage and ethos, cautioning against the overemphasis on financial incentives. His sentiments echo a broader sentiment within the golfing community, as stakeholders grapple with the balancing act between commercial viability and sporting integrity.

Viktor Hovland’s stance on LIV Golf and its format

While Viktor Hovland’s meteoric rise has positioned him as a coveted asset in the golfing realm, his allegiance remains firmly rooted in the PGA Tour. Despite purported overtures from LIV Golf, Hovland has opted to stay loyal to the traditional circuit, citing reservations about the breakaway tour’s format. Central to his apprehensions is LIV Golf’s decision to eschew the conventional cut system, a departure from the norm that Hovland believes compromises the competitive rigor of the sport.

Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland (Image via Imago)

In elucidating his stance, Hovland underscores the significance of the cut system in sharpening players’ competitive edge. The prospect of competing against a comprehensive field, with the constant specter of elimination looming, imbues the game with a heightened sense of urgency and intensity. 

I’m not such a fan of, for example, playing without a cut. You need 150 players and a cut. If you don't play well enough, you're out. There is something about it that makes your game a little sharper.
Viktor Hovland as per Golf Monthly.

Hovland contends that the absence of a cut dilutes the competitive essence of the sport, potentially stifling players’ growth and development. Despite the allure of financial incentives, Hovland remains steadfast in his commitment to the PGA Tour, prioritizing the sanctity of competition over monetary gains.

In case you missed it: