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Viktor Hovland Defends Valspar Title as Driver Woes Persist After Coach Switch

He arrives off consecutive T13 finishes with a notable rebound in putting.

Overview

  • Hovland said he is "still struggling off the tee tremendously" and is chasing more predictability with longer clubs before play at Innisbrook.
  • Earlier this month he split with swing coach Grant Waite and reunited with former coach T.J. Yeaton, saying he seeks out smart voices and filters their input.
  • His putting has surged in 2026, with roughly a 40-place jump in strokes gained and recent T13s at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players.
  • This season he ranks 16th in strokes gained approach and inside the top 30 around the greens, but sits 134th off the tee.
  • Hovland is the defending Valspar champion, his lone win since the 2023 Tour Championship, when he beat Justin Thomas last year.