FARMINGDALE, NY (AP) — Viktor Hovland’s golf swing has found its sweet spot. However, his search for the truth about UFOs is still ongoing. Two days before the Ryder Cup, the 28-year-old Norwegian felt liberated during his practice on the driving range. Reviewing his swing on video, he commented, “It definitely looked better than some of the swings I’ve taken lately.”
“This is a course where you have to drive well, and I’ve been struggling with the driver,” Hovland said Thursday at Bethpage Black. “It’s been a long time since I was able to stand on the range and hit the ball fluidly, without feeling like I have to direct it.” This bodes well for Europe, which will compete as underdogs on Team USA’s home turf, before a New York crowd that is sure to be raucous. President Donald Trump will be in attendance, adding to the excitement.
Curiosity about UFOs
Regarding UFOs, Hovland has delved deeper into the subject in recent years, sparking the curiosity of colleagues and fans. The seven-time PGA Tour winner mentioned that it's a way to disconnect from golf. "The more you delve into it, the more questions arise," he said. "It's a topic where you don't find many answers, but it's very interesting to challenge some of your beliefs."
The golfer, known for his charisma, was eager to get back to practicing after the rain soaked the course Thursday morning. He wanted to make sure the feel of his new swing didn't disappear. "We've all been there," he said. "We find a feeling and think we're back, and the next day it all falls apart."
Challenges and expectations
Acknowledging “some significant struggles” in his game over the past few seasons, Hovland is eager to return to the form he showed in 2023, when he won three times on the PGA Tour and took the FedEx Cup. He has dropped from fourth to twelfth in the world rankings since the last Ryder Cup, which Europe won in Rome in 2023. However, he feels capable of overcoming those challenges and playing great golf.
During his meeting with the media, questions ranged from his swinging nature to his fascination with otherworldly beings, prompted by a comment from his friend and colleague Ludvig Åberg. “Ludvig said you like to talk about UFOs. What’s up with that?” a reporter asked. Hovland smiled and replied, “What’s up with that? That’s the question, isn’t it?” Åberg, for his part, admitted that while he enjoys UFO talks, “I’m not that into it yet. If I spend enough time with him, I might be.”
Reflections on the Ryder Cup
Hovland compared the pursuit of a perfect swing to the eternal questions about UFOs; both require curiosity and patience. “In golf, you look at your swing and practice hard, but if you’re not getting the results you want, it can be frustrating.” In his Ryder Cup debut in 2021, he had an 0-3-2 record in a loss to Europe. In 2023, he improved to 3-1-1. “I felt like I was more timid as a rookie on foreign soil. After 2023, my best season, I felt more excitement.”
This year, the New York crowd, known for being loud and harsh on opposing players, adds a new challenge. Hovland, with his usual eccentricity, has an antidote: “If you play well, there will be comments here and there, but they won't be close to the thoughts I have in my head. So I think I'll just laugh at most of it.”
