Norwegian star Viktor Hovland will still play for the Sentinels in this week's PGA Tour season opener in Kapalua, Hawaii, with a broken toe.
Hovland also told Norsk Golf that he is no longer working with swing coach Joe Mayo, marking the duo's second split in about a year.
Hovland parted ways with Mayo at the end of 2023 before bringing him back in the spring of 2024, during which time he went through a few different coaches. But about a month ago, Hovland let Mayo go again.
“We had some disagreements about the way forward, what was best for me,” said Hovland, 27. “I feel like I've learned so much now, I've got so much expertise, I don't need anyone anymore It’s always nice to have someone who can watch what I’m doing and see my steps.” So, I sent some film to another coach, but he was more of a consultant.
“I'm the boss of my own swing.”
Hovland, a six-time PGA Tour winner and ranked eighth in the Official World Golf Ranking, has not played since September due to an undisclosed injury.
Then he broke his right little toe, which he told Norsk Golf happened in his hotel room in Hawaii.
According to Hovland, he traveled from Norway to Hawaii after Christmas and fell asleep in his hotel room with his clothes still on. When he woke up in the middle of the night, he tried to get up and take off his clothes and kicked the corner of the bed while taking off his clothes. He shared the X-ray photo on Instagram on Friday.
Hovland told Norsk Golf that a full recovery will take four to six weeks, but he has not yet retired from the Sentinel.
“I've hit a few balls, albeit without shoes, and there's no pressure on my right foot,” he said. “But my toe has lightened a lot, it's a big difference compared to yesterday. So, we'll see. I have a few days to decide. In principle, I think I can wait until Thursday. For now, I Choose to stay on the starting roster.
The Sentinels have already lost world number one Scottie Scheffler to another unusual accident. Scheffler cut his right hand while preparing Christmas dinner and had shards of glass in his palm, requiring surgery.
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