Viktor Hovland laments ‘comical’ state of pro golf

The current state of men’s professional golf is gloom. That seems to be the answer, no matter where you look.

And now, Viktor Hovland has jumped on the bandwagon.

Sharing his take on the feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the Norwegian criticised the game’s growing obsession with money.

Labelling the focus on financial reward “a little bit sad”, the 26-year-old voiced his disregard for the path golf has taken since the emergence of LIV.

“It’s a little comical to see what’s going on in the game of golf,” Hovland told the Son of a Butch podcast.

He added: “…but I hope there’s a resolution in the future because at the end of the day, I just want to compete at the best golf courses, in the best tournaments and against the best players.

“However that’s going to happen, I don’t know, but that’s what I’d like to see.”

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The six-time PGA Tour winner shut down rumours linking him with a move to LIV Golf in January, simply replying “not true,” when posed the question.

Meanwhile, at the end of last year, he explained: “I don’t think their product is that great. I’m not such a fan of, for example, playing without a cut.

“You need the competition with 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. If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer.”

It all comes as the war between the two rivals rumbles on. Bryson DeChambeau has repeatedly called for the game to ‘unify’, while others have made their voices heard, too.

Talor Gooch was branded ‘embarrassing’ for his comments on majors without LIV Golf participation, whereas Joaquin Niemann has been a standout voice in the fight for world ranking points.

Fellow LIV rebels like Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson signed for mouth-watering sums, forfeiting the possibility of playing future major championships.

And it’s that chase for money that has divided the sport in recent years, to the disappointment of Ryder Cup winner Hovland.

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On the podcast – hosted by Claude Harmon III – he said: “Obviously, LIV is bringing in a lot of money to the sport and there’s a lot of competition which I think is good.

“But it seems to have been a response from the PGA Tour’s side – it’s just more talk about the money and I think that’s a little bit sad.

“Now money is important, and everyone needs to get paid accordingly and in a fair way, but I don’t think that needs to be the driving force behind this or the story every single week.

“Not to dog on a tournament, you could put the purse of the John Deere to $6 million for first place, but I’d much rather win a Memorial or a tournament like that.

“You’re going to have those memories of winning that event, seeing your name on that trophy – that’s pretty cool.

“Obviously, the pay cheque 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.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.