Viktor Hovland has decided not to join LIV Golf right now.
He believes that playing in the LIV Golf League won’t help him get better as a golfer at this point, and money isn’t what drives him. Last year, he earned nearly $35 million after winning the FedEx Cup. He did consider the LIV Golf option after September’s Ryder Cup but ultimately chose to stay with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
Greg Norman’s team tried to recruit him, especially when Jon Rahm joined their ranks. In April, they made another attempt to bring Hovland over. However, Hovland is known for his thorough research and decided it wasn’t for him at this stage of his career.
“If I’m going to say no to something, I want to at least know what it is,” he told The Times. Fans might think it’s wise for players like Hovland to explore all options before making decisions.
Hovland Criticizes Jay Monahan
Hovland thinks Jay Monahan could have handled things better by taking Saudi investors more seriously from the start. “A lot of players want more transparency," he said. "If you claim you’re representing our best interests, you should meet with those involved."
Now there’s a stalemate in the situation that didn’t need complex predictions or strategies.
Hovland gets why some players joined LIV Golf but feels he’d regret it if he made such a move now while he’s still in his prime. He understands why older players might find it appealing due to the large paydays offered.
“I have no hard feelings against those who went," he added. "I understand there are many grey areas right now, but their product wasn’t appealing enough for me." He mentioned that although they’re offering lots of money, he’s already made plenty and isn’t driven by materialism.
“At the end of the day, what makes me a better player?” he pondered. Maybe in 20 years when he’s nearing retirement, playing in LIV Golf wouldn’t be too bad and might even seem like a cool opportunity then—but not now.
What do you think about Hovland’s decision?
