Viktor Hovland changes swing coaches — again!
PALM HARBOR, Fla. – The coaching carousel for Viktor Hovland is active again. Hovland, the 2023 FedEx Cup champion, has split from Denny Lucas — his swing coach from his college days — and reconnected with Grant Waite during the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago.
Hovland, 27, is mired in a slump that has seen his world ranking dip from fourth a year ago to currently No. 19. He missed his third straight cut last week at the Players and hasn’t made the weekend in a tournament with a cut yet this season. He hasn't recorded a top-20 finish this season. Hovland struggled with the big stick at TPC Sawgrass, ranking 142nd (out of 144) in SG: Off the Tee in the first round, putting too much stress on his short game, which never was a strength and has regressed, and shot 80. He tried to put a positive spin on his bounce-back 68 before leaving the Players.
“I’ve seen good improvements just in the last week but it’s going to need some time and work to get it back to where it was,” Hovland said on Friday. “Really working on the mechanical things to get it back to where I can be able to predict the ball flight. I don’t know how many tournaments I will be filling in. I have been seeing better results in practice, which is promising, because my philosophy is if I can’t hit the shots in practice there is really no point for me to play tournaments. At least now I’m seeing some improvements in practice.
Asked on Friday if he would play this week at the Valspar, he said, “Still thinking about it. I’m registered so we will see.”
Hovland showed up at Innisbrook Resort for the Valspar but conceded he isn’t oozing confidence.
“I didn’t feel good enough but I’m already over here and Grant said we could keep working on things. I haven’t felt great with my ball striking during the practice rounds but I feel like I found something this afternoon on the range. It may not work immediately tomorrow or this week but I don’t care too much about that. I just have to get back on the horse, get back to my D.N.A.”
Hovland seemed on the verge of breaking through in the majors after winning the final two events in the 2023 FedEx Cup and playing well at the Ryder Cup in Rome. But he parted ways with instructor Joe Mayo shortly before the 2024 season. He bounced from Dana Dahlquist to Waite and returned to Mayo last May and nearly won the PGA Championship at Valhalla, settling for third. But the reunion proved short-lived as Hovland and Mayo split again before this season began. T.J. Yeaton, a pro in Nashville, was reportedly a consultant for a stretch. Hovland teamed up with Lucas, who coached him for 2 ½ years during his time at Oklahoma State University, for a month, Hovland said. But that relationship ended after a missed cut at Arnie’s Place.
“Smart guy,” Hovland said of Lucas. “We’d worked together and obviously he knows my swing pretty well and seeing if he had a different point of view that none of the other coaches I had seen had.”
He continued: “It’s just tough to figure things out. When I go and see a different person I hear a lot of the same things but I’ve tried them and they haven’t worked. So you kind of have to start searching a little bit or think from a different point of view and I didn’t quite get that from Denny, even though he said a lot of good stuff.”
Waite, 60, a one-time Tour winner from New Zealand, happened to be at Bay Hill during the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Hovland stuck around in Orlando for a couple days after missing the cut, and asked Waite if he could examine his swing.
“We got together and I liked the way he said things," Hovland said. "Now I have a different perspective from when we worked together last time.”
When a reporter said it was becoming difficult to keep track of his coaching changes, Hovland said, “I make decisions like every other day because I’m trying to get to the bottom of this. From the outside, it looks kind of chaotic but to get to the bottom of stuff you have to make decisions like that.”
Hovland was encouraged by his latest range session and a promising development with his takeaway.
“I don’t want to jinx it but I think we discovered something,” he said. “Not to get super-technical but I’ve been looking for a transition that I’ve always had my whole life and never had to think about. Now it’s not occurring. It’s because my wrist angles have changed. I always had a bowed left wrist. I’m doing less of that and it affects how I’m torquing the club in the downswing and in transition. Now we’ve discovered something that as soon as I set it more into flection and off the ball and maintain it there, a lot of the same movements are coming back. It feels super-foreign because I haven’t done it in a long time. I’ve seen a lot of good shots on the range. Old video confirms that movement, so, I just need to stay on top of that.”
Waite already had departed his side but that didn’t stop Hovland from singing the praises of his latest coach.
“There are not that many guys that have that level of knowledge and experience when it comes to playing,” Hovland explained. “It’s one thing to have the information and deliver it in a certain way but there’s also needs to be a certain personality that can tell me yes or no and can say it so I can trust the information. If there’s too much doubt, I know myself personally that I have a tendency to bounce around and have other ideas. I need to lock down certain non-negotiables and that’s where Grant is really good.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: PGA Tour star Viktor Hovland has another coach
Topics
-
Viktor Hovland & Ludvig Aberg missed Players Championship cut: What other stars are out?
Which top golfers missed the cut after Friday's second round of The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach?Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau among notable golfers to miss cut at Players Championship 2025
Some big names will be heading home early after two rounds at TPC SawgrassCBS Sports - 5d -
Indiana basketball hire exposes hypocrisy of coaching change: Do as I say, not as I do
The hypocrisy of coaching change: Indiana basketball hire shows coaches can bounce around, but they want players to stay loyal and not transferYahoo Sports - 9h -
Why NIT changed selection criteria again for 2025 as 'College Basketball Crown' enters postseason picture
Amid a changing postseason landscape, there is yet another new selection process for the NITCBS Sports - 1d -
'Underperforming' Man Utd can 'change Ratcliffe's mind'
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says "underperforming" squad can change Sir Jim Ratcliffe's opinion.BBC News - Mar. 12 -
Juventus Not Changing Their Gaffer During the Break
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli quickly nipped the rumors about a coaching change following the second collapse in a row. He spoke to Sky after the three-nil loss to Fiorentina.“We all have to ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Recession will not make Trump change course
A president who can’t run again is freer from public opinion than business seems to realiseFinancial Times - Mar. 12 -
March Madness 2025: With Drake in the NCAA Tournament again, first-year coach Ben McCollum is a hot commodity
After leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament, McCollum could be 'one and done' as Drake's coachCBS Sports - 5h -
Despite coaching changes, Chase Young's desire to return to New Orleans never wavered
Chase Young wanted to return to the Saints for three big reasons, and the offseason upheaval couldn't change thatYahoo Sports - 3d -
Moses Lake Youth Baseball recruiting coaches
Mar. 19—MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Youth Baseball Association needs coaches to continue the 2025 season after changes to coaching requirements were put in place recently. Association President ...Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Bucs lose swing tackle Justin Skule to Vikings
Bucs lose swing tackle Justin Skule to Minnesota Vikings in free agency leaving them searching for a replacement.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Where Alabama sits in USA TODAY Sports' Coaches Poll entering NCAA Tournament
The Alabama Crimson Tide are yet again ranked in the USA TODAY Sports' Women's Coaches Poll entering the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
College basketball coaching changes: NC State expected to land Will Wade; WVU's Darian DeVries to Indiana
Matt Norlander has the latest intel on what's happening in coaching searches nationwide as the NCAA Tournament is underwayCBS Sports - 12h -
Ukrainian family reunited after visa changes reversed
Parents are once again able to bring their children to join them in the UK, after months of being separated.BBC News - Mar. 9 -
The NFL may tweak its kickoff return rules again in a move no one asked for
The NFL apparently changed its kickoff rules for safety. That was clearly a lie.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Brian Shaw guides Clippers after coach Tyronn Lue misses 4th game because of back pain
Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue missed his fourth game Tuesday night after recent back issues “intensified again,” according to assistant Brian Shaw, who replaced him on the bench. Shaw said ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Injury-hit Socceroos ring changes for crunch World Cup qualifiers
Australia coach Tony Popovic rang the changes Friday for the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifiers, calling up six uncapped players and turning to two others who have not seen international action ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Spurs player says Gregg Popovich 'didn't miss a beat' in first meeting after stroke: 'He was still cussing'
Popovich will not coach again this season, but still hopes to eventually return to the benchCBS Sports - 1d -
PGA Tour's Florida Swing concludes with Valspar Championship. See the 156-man field
Set to return to the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, the Valspar is the final leg of the PGA Tour's Florida Swing.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
New York Giants' James Hudson likens his job as swing tackle to an MLB closer
New York Giants OT James Hudson has a unique perspective on his role as a swing tackle.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Saint Francis, dancing again after 34 years, was 'the hottest ticket in town'
Saint Francis is making its first trip to the NCAA tournament since 1991. Back then, Sewickley Academy coach Mike Iuzzolino led the team in scoring.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Conceicao believes Milan have a ‘desire to change’ after Como comeback
AC Milan, once again, had to drag themselves back into the game last night against Como, and Sergio Conceicao believes it is a positive sign of his squad, rather than a worry. The second half of ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Real Madrid will never play with under 72 hours rest again: Ancelotti
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Saturday his team will not play another football game after fewer than 72 hours of rest."We will never play another game (without) 72 hours of rest.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
The UK’s academic recession is in full swing
This university crisis is a grim scrabble for numbersFinancial Times - Mar. 10 -
FSU football spring camp: New faces bring changes to the Seminoles preparation
Florida State football opened spring practice with dozens of new players and a refreshed coaching staff on Wednesday.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Getting through groundhog day - how Jack Draper changed to win his biggest title
When Jack Draper retired injured again at the Australian Open, he had to be patient - and is now celebrating the biggest title of his career.BBC News - 2d -
All Fantasy Hockey Cards Update Through Mar. 17
Back again with another Fantasy Hockey card update, here are all the overall changes through Mar. 17.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
College coaches write letter urging NCAA to change 'stringent' eligibility requirements for JUCO athletes
Relaxing the eligibility requirements for JUCOs has quickly emerged as a hot topic in college sportsCBS Sports - Mar. 11 -
Captain to be benched: Barcelona coach to make one change ahead of Atletico Madrid clash
Barcelona are gearing up for one of their most important matches in the league this season as they take on Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.The Catalans cannot afford to drop points in this ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
North Carolina Basketball Needed to Change. Will Its Plan to Return to the Top Pan Out?
The Tar Heels and Coach Hubert Davis cannot afford another down season.The New York Times - 4d -
Viktor Orban Is a Conservative Lodestar. Now He Wants to Fix the Price of Eggs.
The Hungarian prime minister, who pioneered themes dear to U.S. conservatives, is seeking to tame inflation with methods that remind his critics of communist-era central planning.The New York Times - 20m -
Real Madrid says it won't play again without 72 hours of rest between matches
Real Madrid won’t agree to play another game without 72 hours of rest between matches. The club made the announcement, which was confirmed by coach Carlo Ancelotti, after its 2-1 win at Villarreal ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Resurgent Ellie Droste leads GVSU women's basketball redemption tour into NCAA Elite Eight
After a knee injury changed her role and out look, Ellie Droste is at her best in the biggest moments for GVSU once again.Yahoo Sports - 34m -
A moment that changed me: Crohn’s left me in constant pain. An operation restored my appetite for life
Eating with my family was a source of joy and pleasure until illness ravaged my digestive system. After my stoma was fitted, everything tasted amazing again. Growing up, I always loved food. On ...The Guardian - Mar. 12 -
“A good young coach” – Tottenham eye manager endorsed by Jose Mourinho as potential Postecoglou successor
Fulham manager Marco Silva is a leading candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou should Tottenham Hotspur decide to make a managerial change, according to reports from The Telegraph.Postecoglou is ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
How Iowa basketball fans reacted to Owen Freeman entering the transfer portal
Iowa fans aren't sold that Owen Freeman entered the transfer portal because of the coaching change.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Wetzel: Why the sky has not fallen in NCAA hoops
Amid changes and dire predictions about college hoops, top coaches in the game seem to have figured it out.ESPN - 5h -
'Gregor has the answers' - Gilchrist backs Townsend
Grant Gilchrist backs Gregor Townsend to remain as coach despite Scotland again failing to mount a meaningful Six Nations title challenge.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
How to Make Changes That Actually Stick
Around 70 percent of all change efforts fail, because most organizations make changes without mapping impact.Inc. - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Masters 2025 Champions Dinner: Scottie Scheffler pokes fun at hand injury with menu
Scottie Scheffler has poked fun at himself by adding ravioli to his Masters Champions Dinner menu – months after suffering a freak injury while making homemade pasta.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Alan Shearer made retirement joke to Newcastle star after win vs Liverpool
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has joked that Dan Burn might as well retire after his goal in the win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.Burn opened the scoring for the Magpies in a ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Milan deem excessive Roma’s fee for Tammy Abraham
The future of Tammy Abraham is still unknown as the player’s loan at Milan winds to an end.Although Milan are already looking for a striker to play alongside Santiago Gimenez, the position of the ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Lord Coe must become IOC chief – his rivals are fatally compromised
If you were looking to avoid uncomfortable scrutiny, you could hardly choose a better location than Costa Navarino, this clifftop nirvana in the south-west Peloponnese. With its sprawling villas ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Hazing allegations shuttered Lisbon football. The school says it's ready to play again.
Mar. 20—A Maine Principals' Association committee on Thursday will review, and likely rule on, Lisbon High School's appeal to have its varsity football team reinstated without penalty this fall. ...Yahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
Masters 2025 Champions Dinner: Scottie Scheffler pokes fun at hand injury with menu
Scottie Scheffler has poked fun at himself by adding ravioli to his Masters Champions Dinner menu – months after suffering a freak injury while making homemade pasta.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Alan Shearer made retirement joke to Newcastle star after win vs Liverpool
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has joked that Dan Burn might as well retire after his goal in the win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.Burn opened the scoring for the Magpies in a ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Milan deem excessive Roma’s fee for Tammy Abraham
The future of Tammy Abraham is still unknown as the player’s loan at Milan winds to an end.Although Milan are already looking for a striker to play alongside Santiago Gimenez, the position of the ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Lord Coe must become IOC chief – his rivals are fatally compromised
If you were looking to avoid uncomfortable scrutiny, you could hardly choose a better location than Costa Navarino, this clifftop nirvana in the south-west Peloponnese. With its sprawling villas ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Hazing allegations shuttered Lisbon football. The school says it's ready to play again.
Mar. 20—A Maine Principals' Association committee on Thursday will review, and likely rule on, Lisbon High School's appeal to have its varsity football team reinstated without penalty this fall. ...Yahoo Sports - 21m