On Wednesday, the media duties at The Players Championship continued as several other golfers took part in the annual press conference. In this Viktor Hovland was asked about his thoughts regarding the leadership of Jay Monahan . This led to the Norwegian taking a jibe at him.
Ever since the announcement of the golf merger in June 2023, the players seemed to have lost their trust in Jay Monahan. Though the 53-year-old has time and again lauded himself to be the best leader for the PGA Tour, Viktor Hovland and others do not seem to agree with it.
Speaking at the press conference from the TPC Sawgrass, Hovland pointed out things had been contradictory and wants someone who can acknowledge their mistakes instead of “sweeping it under the rug“.
There were some things that were said that have been walked back on and then things that have been very contradictory. As a leader of an organization, I will want a person like that to take some ownership and say, hey, we made a couple of mistakes, but this is how we're going to rectify it, instead of kind of sweeping it under the rug. Viktor Hovland on type of PGA Tour Commissioner he wants.
⛳️ Viktor Hovland sounds off on commissioner Monahan’s leadership: “There were some things that were said that have been walked back on & then things that have been very contradictory. As a leader of an organization, I will want a person like that to take some ownership and… pic.twitter.com/yPvuvPnrz4
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) March 13, 2024
Hovland though is not the only one to speak against Monahan at this press conference. Earlier, World No. 5 Xander Schauffele also took a swipe at the top boss and claimed he has to work a lot harder to regain his trust which was broken after the merger deal was announced.
At the current moment, Viktor Hovland is considered one of the top players of the game. However, like many others, there was a time when he was a rookie and had no idea how things worked. It was at this time when current LIV Golfer Charles Howell III took him “under his wing“. Hovland has now thanked him for his help.
The one thing Hovland and Charles Howell III shared in common was Oklahoma State University. The two alumnus of the OSU would come closer in the early days of Norwegian’s career. Hovland further revealed how he owes a lot to him and his family.
The Crushers GC star would help out the young golfer with his questions and somewhat showed him the ropes on how to handle himself on the PGA Tour.
I traveled a lot with Charles Howell and his family, obviously ties to Oklahoma State, and their family's just great people... He took me under his wing... So I owe a lot to Charles Howell and his family. Viktor Hovland on Charles Howell III.
Here’s Viktor Hovland discussing how much Charles Howell III from @Crushers_GC, helped him early in his career and gives him great advice. @OSUCowboyGolf is a tight knit family! #ThePlayers pic.twitter.com/YR0crIBgEb
— Pro Golf Critic (@ProGolfCritic) March 13, 2024
Though Howell III is now in LIV Golf, his relationship with Hovland seems intact. With LIV Golfers banned from this tournament, the former PGA Tour would likely be watching from the sideways and cheering on his “protege” at this signature event.
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