Viktor Hovland's 2025 season is off to a nightmarish start

Viktor Hovland is coming off a disappointing 2024 season in which he didn't record a win and finished outside the top 20 in 11 of his 17 starts. The 27-year-old was hoping for a bounce-back campaign in 2025, but his season is off to a concerning start.

Ahead of his 2025 debut at The Sentry, Hovland split with his swing coach, Joe Mayo, as first reported by Norsk Golf. If that sounds familiar, it's because this isn't the first time the two have parted ways. Hovland surprisingly ditched Mayo last offseason after winning the FedEx Cup title, but the duo teamed back up ahead of the PGA Championship a few months later. This split will likely be for good. 

"We disagreed a bit about the way forward, what is best for me," Hovland told Norsk Golf. "I feel that I have learned so much now and have so much competence that I don’t need anyone to hold my hand anymore."

If last time is any indication, Hovland could be in trouble to start the 2025 season. After splitting with Mayo last offseason, the Norwegian began the 2024 campaign with finishes of T22, T58, T19, T36 and T62, then missed the cut at The Masters. He didn't find his groove until reuniting with Mayo in May. 

The drama inside Hovland's camp isn't the only area of concern entering the new season, though. Last week, Hovland suffered a fractured pinky toe due to an "unpleasant encounter" with a bed frame, per Eurosport. His status for this week's season debut is still up in the air.