The PGA Tour announced this Monday that Viktor Hovland will not play the WM Phoenix Open, a tournament that takes place at the TPC Scottsdale and for which he was registered. The Norwegian has withdrawn after a poor performance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am and has not provided any explanation. In other words, there is no medical cause.
As you know, in recent months there have been numerous comments here and there about a possible incorporation of Hovland into LIV Golf. Even from within the Saudi league, it has been taken for granted. The Nordic golfer himself confirmed that the conversations had taken place and did not hesitate to harshly criticise the PGA Tour when Jon Rahm moved to LIV. Thus, this unexpected last-minute withdrawal only fuels rumours of a possible departure.
Of course, using common sense, it is difficult to fit that Hovland is going to join LIV a week after the season has started. It would make little sense. How a new team is incorporated with the league already underway, beyond that he would have one less tournament for the individual ranking, although we have also seen on other occasions that all these supposed obstacles are easily overcome in LIV Golf, where competition is not the most important thing.
It should be remembered that LIV Golf is playing the second tournament of the season this week in Las Vegas, so we will soon find out.
In any case, a Norwegian journalist, close to Hovland, has tried to cool the rumours with a reflection: “it is not the first time that Viktor has withdrawn from a tournament after a poor performance”. It’s as if he needed to reset or if he preferred to work rather than continue playing. In any case, it is strange because he has barely played two weeks since 2024 started: Sentry and Pebble Beach… And last week it was only three days.
We will have to be attentive in the coming days.
