As “comical” as the ongoing division in golf may be, Viktor Hovland finds it “a little sad” that all of the discussions and responses regarding the future are solely focused on the financial aspect.
The Norwegian chose not to accept the Saudi PIF millions that were being offered at LIV Golf in order to continue on the PGA Tour and has mostly avoided becoming involved in the back-and-forth between the two parties.
A reunion with the big names on LIV may be even further off given Jay Monahan’s $3 billion contract with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), assuming the PGA Tour decides it doesn’t actually need the additional money.
Hovland finds all the backbiting and squabbling almost comical at this stage, as he appears to be among the few who actually just wants to play golf.
During an interview with Claude Harmon’s Son of a Butch podcast, he stated, “It’s a little comical to see what’s going on in the game of golf, 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, 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.”
With an estimated deal for $500 million, Jon Rahm became the most recent and well-known player to join LIV Golf. The PGA Tour responded by increasing prize money, forming Signature Events, and ultimately entering into an agreement with SSG.
It’s impressive that Hovland thinks all the talk about money to be a little bit shady, though, considering over the past few years, many in the game have made money their only concern.
“Obviously, LIV is bringing in a lot of money to the sport and there’s a lot of competition which I think is good,” Hovland said.
“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.”
Following his victory in the 2023 Memorial Tournament, Viktor Hovland
The PGA Tour has received harsh criticism from Hovland, who stated that they had “done such a bad job” of managing the LIV Golf crisis.
The Norwegian acknowledged that Rahm’s departure was understandable and speculated that the PGA Tour’s poor handling of the whole situation may have played a significant role in the Spaniard’s decision.
About Rahm, Hovland remarked, “I completely understand why he left.” That is a substantial sum of money. And at least in cases where the PGA Tour’s management has performed so poorly.
To be clear, I’m grateful for everything and have no complaints about the position I’m in. However, the management hasn’t performed well.
“They essentially regard the players as employees rather than as fellow members. We are the PGA Tour, after all. There wouldn’t exist without the participants.”
It appeared that Hovland could now follow Rahm, but the 26-year-old rejected a December transfer to LIV Golf.
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