The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of the most anticipated events before the Masters tee-off. However, the event got a reality check from Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, and others. The golfers shared about the “brutally tough” course. Not only this, but the adverse weather scare further added to the worry as the strong wind gusts of 25 to 30 mph added to the difficulty for the golfers. All this was before the event even teed off. However, the effects were already affecting the Norwegian professional Viktor Hovland after the first round.
For the first two events, the Sentry and the AT&T Pebble Beach, the golfer recorded a T36 and T22 finish. So, the 27-year-old was on a steady upward climb with his finishes, however, he made certain changes in his bag soon after. At the Genesis Invitational, he switched to a new putter, which was the PING PLD Oslo Prototype. But he might not have adjusted to this quick change, as he missed the cut. Currently, at the Arnold Palmer, he is back with his old prototype DS-72 putter. He also switched back to his Nike shoes, which was a first after his partnership with Puma made sure he only wore Pumas. Additionally, he is one of the few golfers to utilize aim-point. However, now intending to get back on the basics with his technique and equipment, he has switched back to his old preferences.
Besides the switch to improve performance, the first round had the opposite story to narrate for the golfer. Currently, Hovland is placed at T52 with his round of 77 having five bogeys and two birdies. Away from this, there was another stat that shocked the world and left fans suggesting a change. Rick Gehman shared some statistics regarding Hovland’s putting in the Arnold Palmer on X. Surprisingly, it was one of his career lows.
Viktor Hovland lost 4.928 strokes putting in round one of the #ArnoldPalmer.
It’s the second worst putting round of his career (457 measured rounds).
He had a 7.9 strokes difference between his ball-striking (+2.983) and his putting — the biggest gap of his career. pic.twitter.com/J8i6k8V4Z7
— Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood) March 6, 2025
The post wrote, “Viktor Hovland lost 4.928 strokes putting in round one of the #ArnoldPalmer. It’s the second worst putting round of his career (457 measured rounds). He had a 7.9 strokes difference between his ball-striking (+2.983) and his putting — the biggest gap of his career.” The fact that left fans shocked was his three putts that Hovland missed from 4ft 2in, 4ft 11in, and 5ft 1in. It’s worth noting that the golfer has a stroke-gained average in putting of 0.269. So, this drop in performance is definitely worrisome. And fans are not about to keep quiet about it.
Viktor Hovland’s drastic performance drop brought fans into doubt
Being the first Norwegian to win a PGA Tour title. Hovland had high hopes for him, and he has been delivering it with his performance at the course. He now has 10 professional wins, including 6 in the PGA Tour. However, now, with the sudden change and performance decline, the fans are sharing their concern.
One critic wrote, “Might be safe to say Viktor Hovland just doesn’t get it like that anymore.” The golfer who won four events in 2023 has seen a decline in his performance. As in 2024, he was victory-less and even missed cuts at the Majors. However, now, with a missed cut at the 3rd signature event in 2025 and declining performance, the fans are expecting the beginning of his downfall professionally.
Another one of Hovland’s trackers wrote, “He has lost 4.5 strokes putting today. Almost unfathomable.” The performance in the first round, apart from the weather, has come as a worry for all the fans, as it would take consistent rounds for the golfer to climb up on the leaderboard. Hovland, who performed well at the course, having a T19 finish last year, saw a major drop with a record low in putting. Even recording five bogeys in the first round itself.
Joined by another fan who wrote, “Blame the carpenter, not the tools.” Well, even with changes in equipment, the Norwegian has not shown improvement. The fan has been vocal in pointing out the golfer’s incompetence rather than the equipment. As even after getting back to the old putter, the golfer has recorded a 77 in the first round.
Even others joined writing on the same lines, “Dude is all over the damn place. Viktor is a prime example of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” and “Yes, he’s a mental midget.” Well, even the golfer has agreed that the putter was fine as he shared before the event saying, “Then I thought that when I was going to put in the time to practice putting again, I might as well go back to the old one. The putter wasn’t the problem.” But such an impulsive switch during a crucial time has cost him his performance and drawn speculation on the golfer.
Though the change and the toughness of the event might have been the case for Hovland. But for the fans, it has been his wrong decision-making and incompetence leading to the decline. With the second round to start, will the golfer be able to redeem himself? What are your predictions about it? Let us know in the comments below.
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