Hovland focuses on improvements before the Masters

Viktor Hovland has recently regained his winning form by capturing the Valspar Championship. This victory at Innisbrook Golf Resort has lifted him back to world No. 8 after a tough stretch in his career. Hovland, 27, finished the tournament with a final round of 67, narrowly beating Justin Thomas by one shot. This win was especially important, as it ended an 18-month period without a PGA Tour victory. Hovland's earlier successes included winning the 2023 Tour Championship and playing a key role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory. However, his performance declined sharply afterward. He struggled with missed cuts and poor play, changing swing coaches frequently. At one point, Hovland went eight months without making the cut in a full-field event, and he even considered skipping the Valspar Championship. Despite his doubts, Hovland decided to play and reunited with former coach Grant Waite. He credited Waite with helping him address his swing issues. Even with his win, Hovland admitted that his swing is still not where he wants it to be. He acknowledged hitting many bad shots, but noted that they ended up going in the right direction. As the Masters approaches, Hovland is focused on improving his game. Augusta National requires precision and a strong short game, skills where he has struggled for consistency this season. Although his recent victory has boosted his confidence, Hovland understands that he needs to refine his performance to compete in major championships. He has missed the cut in three of the four majors last year and knows that without improvements, it will be hard for him to contend for the Green Jacket.