“Seems a little bit heartless,” says a disgruntled Viktor Hovland about this aspect of golf.
He is not alone there. The questions are ones you already know. What will happen to the rivalry between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, which has lasted for three seasons? Which experts will go where? Who intends to stay? Will an agreement be reached between the Tour and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, LIV’s backer? Or not? What is the outcome of the Tour’s billion-dollar agreement with a consortium of owners from several sports? Continues without end.
Nevertheless, Hovland finds a certain aspect of golf in the present to be annoying. The fourth-ranked player in the world used adjectives like soulless. likewise depressing.
Claude Harmon III, Hovland’s longtime teacher, asked him a question toward the close of their conversation this week on Harmon’s podcast, Son of a Butch (which you can listen to here). Hovland didn’t have a response, but he still had some ideas. Harmon had been curious as to where Hovland saw golf going.
He was ignorant.
But he knew this for sure.
Hovland started out the podcast by saying, “Obviously the LIV is bringing in a lot of money to the sport and there’s a lot of competition, which I think is good.” However, it appears that the PGA Tour has responded by saying, “Okay, we’re going to. It’s just more talk about the money, and I think that’s a little bit sad.”
“Although I believe that shouldn’t be the main plot point or the driving force behind this every week, money is important and everyone should be paid fairly.”
What then ought to be?
Hovland began his response with a tale, making it clear that he had no malice intended toward the John Deere Classic. He added, however, that let’s assume the JDC increased the winner’s award to $6 million. Of course that would be fantastic.
Hovland, who did win the Memorial the previous year, responded, “But I’d much rather win a Memorial or a tournament like that.”
“Because of the history, the golf course, Jack [Nicklaus], and something like that,” Harmon remarked.
Hovland concurred. Harmon used the fact that Dustin Johnson, one of his players and a professional who recently switched from the PGA Tour to LIV, was spotted watching coverage of the Tour’s Genesis Invitational, which was held at Riviera Country Club, to support his argument. In 2017, Johnson emerged victorious. Harmon stated that he adores this particular music.
Similar to how Hovland feels about the Memorial, one of the Tour’s major events is hosted by golf’s all-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, and is held on one of the finest courses, Muirfield Village.
Hovland returned to his main idea.
Hovland stated on the show, “Yeah, and that’s the thing.” “The memories of winning that competition, seeing your name kind of on that trophy, and the background of all the names will stick with you.”
“Jack standing there when you walk off,” Harmon remarked.
Hovland answered, “Well, that’s kind of cool.” Of course, the salary is also good, but if that’s all you’re thinking about at the end of the week, it seems a little bit soulless, in my opinion.
“So, you know, that’s right. To be honest, I have no idea what to do next. Though I try not to think about it too much, it has been a little depressing. To be honest, watching what goes on in the game of golf is a little amusing. However, I’m hoping for a solution down the road. Ultimately, all I want is to compete against the top players at the best tournaments and golf courses.
And that is all there is to it. I’m not sure how that will work out, but that’s what I want to see.
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