Viktor Hovland appears to have put the latest round of LIV Golf rumours to rest by confirming his participation at the Genesis Invitational this week.
The Ryder Cup star made headlines last week when he decided to skip the WM Phoenix Open, leading to speculation about his potential move to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
This raised concerns among PGA Tour fans, but they can breathe a sigh of relief for now. The Norwegian golfer is all set to compete alongside Tiger Woods and other top players at the prestigious Genesis tournament.
Hovland’s unexpected withdrawal from the Phoenix Open surprised many, fueling suspicions of something more significant happening. This was especially true after Hatton pulled a similar move before the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am.
However, Hovland has chosen to join the likes of Woods and Rory McIlroy at Riviera, ensuring an exciting lineup of star names.
The Genesis is a highly anticipated event on the PGA Tour, offering a massive prize pool of $20 million. Hovland is expected to be a strong contender, and fans can catch all the action with live commentary on talkSPORT 2.
Unfortunately, Hovland hasn’t had the best start to his season. He struggled to make an impact at The Sentry Tournament of Champions and had a disappointing performance at Pebble Beach.
This dip in form is a stark contrast to his impressive play last year. However, despite his recent struggles, it seems that his participation in this event is unrelated to any ongoing rumors about LIV.
The 26-year-old golfer has previously expressed his disapproval of LIV Golf and its format, indicating that he has no interest in joining the breakaway group.
During an interview with Eurosport Norway in December 2023, he stated, “I don’t find their product to be that impressive. I’m not particularly fond of playing without a cut, for instance.”
He further explained, “You need the competition with 150 players and a cut. If you don’t perform well enough, you’re eliminated. There’s something about it that sharpens your game.”
“If I had chosen to join LIV, I don’t believe I would have improved as a golfer. And then, the discussion would essentially be over.”
Therefore, Hovland’s decision to commit to the Genesis tournament seems to be great news for all PGA Tour fans.
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