Viktor Hovland Still Not Ruling Out Jump to LIV but Says New League ‘Has a Long Way to Go’

We’ve come to learn over the past year that there are varying degrees of non-answers when PGA Tour pros are asked about LIV Golf.

After winning the Open Championship last year, Cameron Smith was non-committal, but it felt like he was avoiding answering the questions until he could safely announce his intentions to join LIV after the Tour Championship.

Late last year, Viktor Hovland expressed frustration that he would have to play in more tournaments than he’s accustomed to, especially in a year where he has to maintain some status on the DP World Tour in order to qualify for the Ryder Cup.

He then went out and won the Hero World Challenge for the second-straight year.

Viktor Hovland joins @TigerWoods as the only back-to-back Hero World Challenge winners. pic.twitter.com/z95pjqdaSm

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 4, 2022

It doesn’t appear that Hovland has changed his tune in the last couple of months, but he doesn’t sound convinced by LIV Golf either.

In an interview with Norway’s Aftenposten, Hovland talked about having to play in designated events like the WM Phoenix Open and Genesis Invitational to qualify for the PGA Tour’s Player Incentive Program bonus at the end of the year.

Hovland said:

“I don’t think it’s controversial to say that many of the changes on the PGA Tour are because of LIV.”

But when it comes to potentially joining the rival circuit for a lighter schedule, he doesn’t sound sold on LIV’s long-term prospects.

“Nothing is ruled out. I just try to do the best for me and my venture, but you never know what the future holds.”

“But [LIV Golf] has a long way to go, to put it that way. I think it’s better for my golf if I play on the PGA Tour.”

LIV’s 14-event season begins next week in Mayakoba, Mexico, on a course that Hovland won a PGA Tour event on in 2020 and ’21.

Cover Image Via Philidelphia Inquirer