Viktor Hovland announces shock split ahead of 2025 season

Viktor Hovland has announced he has split from coach Joe Mayo as he prepares for the 2025 PGA Tour season.

The Norwegian, whose first start of the year could be delayed after he broke a toe in a freak bedroom accident, told Norsk Golf that he and Mayo have parted ways once again.

The pair originally split late in 2023 following a stand-out year in which Hovland won the FedEx Cup and starred for Europe in the Ryder Cup demolition of the USA in Rome.

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They reunited ahead of the PGA Championship in May but, seven months later, have separated once again.

“We disagreed a bit about the way forward, what is best for me,” said Hovland. “I feel that I have learned so much now and have so much competence that I don’t need anyone to hold my hand anymore.

“It’s always good to have someone to watch what I’m doing, check out the steps I’m taking. So I send some videos to another coach, but he’s more like a consultant. I am the one in charge of my own turn.”

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On the subject of his apparent injury – which came hot on the heels of world No.1 Scottie Scheffler requiring surgery after a Christmas Day kitchen mishap – Hovland told Eurosport that it was the result of an “unpleasant encounter” with the edge of his bed.

He added that he hopes painkillers and strapping will enable him to play in the season-opening The Sentry in Hawaii “without major problems”.

Hovland goes into the new year ranked eighth on the Official World Golf Ranking, but searching for his first PGA Tour victory since the Tour Championship in September 2023.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor