Viktor Hovland makes analytical choice amid epic Masters meltdown

Viktor Hovland makes analytical choice amid epic Masters meltdown

After an abnormal showing Friday at The Masters Tournament, Viktor Hovland has made a change to his short-term schedule.

He posted a 9-over 81, 10 shots worse than his Thursday round to miss the cut by two strokes. The reigning FedEx Cup champ was one of many prominent names to miss the cut.

On Saturday morning, news surfaced that Hovland withdrew from play next week at the RBC Heritage event.

There was no reason behind the withdrawal from PGA Tour Communications’ X, formerly known as Twitter post.

Hovland has made multiple swing coach changes recently after he and Joe Mayo split up at the beginning of the year.

He worked with Grant Waite for a while and then made another switch. Hovland confirmed earlier in the week that he returned to Dana Dahlquist, who helped him when he first turned pro.

Things looked promising on Thursday but went off the rails Friday, including missing a tap-in putt on the par-5 15th. He was within the cut line, but that miss put him two shots off the number. After recording a seven, he chunked the ball into the water, another bizarre action from the ordinarily laid-back player.

The world knows that Hovland is working on his swing, but his second round performance was uncommon. From off the tee to his putting, nothing looked like it worked for him.

It’s uncertain if Hovland will skip more events past the RBC Heritage, but after an 81 at Augusta, it appears he did not want to put his game on a course again so soon.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.