Viktor Hovland confirms LIV Golf decision with blunt two-word response.

LIV Golf are not set to announce Viktor Hovland in the coming days, as the Norwegian said all reports are “not true” when being asked about his PGA Tour position.

Viktor Hovland is expected to remain on the PGA Tour despite his recent absence following a game in Hawaii.

After Hovland missed PGA Tour events, there was increased speculation that the Norwegian golfer would join LIV Golf. Hovland, however, merely responded “not true” when contacted by Tom Rosenvinge, the head of the Norwegian Golf Association, according to Norsk Golf.

Hovland has made major changes in 2024, although the reports linking him with an imminent switch to LIV are not true. He has hired Grant Waite as his new coach after parting ways with ‘TrackMan Maestro’ Joe Mayo at the end of 2023.

Last season, Hovland became FedEx Cup champion for the first time in his career, but is yet to explain his decision to switch coaches and make adjustments to his style. But Waite has worked with Charles Howell III, who was mentoring the Norwegian when he became a big name in 2019.

Hovland came tied 22nd at The Sentry, the first time he’s competed after making alterations to his coaches. Hovland and Waite had a meeting after The Sentry, and they have been working for a number of weeks as the Norwegian eyes a strong 2024.

The 26-year-old is fourth in the PGA Tour rankings, and has watched Adrian Meronk join Jon Rahm in Saudi Arabia as the shift continues to take place. Hovland has denied all the rumours and it’s now expected he will finish the season as a PGA Tour member, but insider Matt Fischer of Mr Short Game thinks it’s only a matter of time.

“A number of huge events on both sides, the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, he is MIA. Rumour is he is the player that will be signing with LIV any second right now.” He went on: “He will be part of the Cleeks team which is Martin Kaymer’s team.”

But Hovland has criticised LIV in the past, making his decision tougher in the future due to backlash from the PGA Tour and fans. “I don’t think their product is that great,” he said of LIV Golf to FORE. “I’m not such a fan of, for example, playing without a cut, you need the competition with 150 players and a cut.

“If you don’t play well enough, you’re out. There is something about it that makes your game a little sharper. If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer. And then it is, in a way, end of discussion.” Hovland wasn’t done there, and then slammed the PGA Tour for how they’ve handled talks with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

The management’s performance has been unsatisfactory. They tend to view the players more as workers rather than valued members. Ultimately, we constitute the PGA Tour, and it would cease to exist without the players,” he stated. “Furthermore, witnessing the decision-making process behind closed doors reveals that the management prioritizes their own interests and what they believe to be best, rather than considering what is truly in the players’ best interest.”