Viktor Hovland (damaged toe) iffy for Kapalua, drops swing coach

Norwegian star Viktor Hovland remains to be a game-time resolution for The Sentry, this week’s PGA Tour season opener in Kapalua, Hawaii, attributable to a damaged toe.

Hovland additionally informed Norsk Golf that he’s now not working with swing coach Joe Mayo, the tandem’s second cut up in a couple of 12 months.

Hovland parted methods with Mayo in late 2023, then introduced him again within the spring of 2024 as he labored via just a few completely different coaches. However a couple of month in the past, Hovland let Mayo go once more.

“We disagreed a bit about the best way ahead, what’s greatest for me,” Hovland, 27, stated. “I really feel like I’ve discovered a lot now and have a lot experience, that I do not want anybody holding my hand anymore. It is all the time good to have somebody who can watch what I am doing, try the steps I am taking. So, I ship some movies to a different coach, however he is extra of a advisor.

“I’m the boss of my very own swing.”

A six-time PGA Tour winner and the No. 8 participant within the Official World Golf Rating, Hovland hasn’t performed since September attributable to an undisclosed harm.

Then he suffered a damaged proper little toe, which he informed Norsk Golf occurred in his lodge room in Hawaii.

In line with Hovland, he traveled from Norway to Hawaii after Christmas and fell asleep nonetheless wearing his lodge room. When he awoke in the midst of the evening, he tried to stand up to undress and kicked the nook of the mattress when doing so. He shared the X-ray on Instagram on Friday.

Hovland informed Norsk Golf it would take 4 to 6 weeks to completely heal, however he has not withdrawn from The Sentry.

“I’ve hit just a few balls, albeit with out sneakers, and with out placing any pressure on my proper foot,” he stated. “However my toe hurts loads much less already, it is a large distinction from yesterday. So, we’ll see. I’ve just a few days to determine. In precept, I can wait till Thursday, I believe. For now, I am selecting to remain on the beginning listing.”

The sphere for The Sentry already misplaced World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to a different uncommon accident. Scheffler reduce his proper hand whereas making ready Christmas dinner and bought shards of glass in his palm, requiring surgical procedure.