Viktor Hovland has had an eventful few weeks as the calendar flips from 2024 to 2025.
He broke his toe on a hotel bedstand before a game against The Sentry on Maui. But before suffering that freak injury, Hovland parted ways with swing coach Joe Mayo for the first time in 15 months. The two initially separated months after Hovland won the FedEx Cup in August 2023, but then rekindled things at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Their second stint as Hovland lasted only seven months decided to go in a different direction At the end of 2024.
Hovland, who finished tied for 36th at The Sentry, took time off last week to travel to the Middle East for the Dubai Desert Classic. While there, he began collaborating with American TJ Eatonbased in Nashville, Tennessee.
Viktor Hovland is very involved in the Nashville swing instructor scene. His new instructor, TJ Yeaton, is based in Belle Meade.
It's a big step up for him. He sent me a video of my swing on Saturday. He is currently working with Hovland.
pic.twitter.com/Rr77j1ywaU— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) January 13, 2025
golf digest Eaton listedThe 36-year-old was named one of America's Best Young Teachers in 2025, the seventh consecutive year he has received this honor.
Hovland hasn't won since the 2023 Tour Championship and needed a refresher. He finished T-2 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis and took solo third place at Valhalla, but the 2024 season didn't produce many solid results otherwise. . He missed out on qualifying for the Masters, the US Open and the British Open, but he hopes that doesn't happen in 2025. After all, this is a Ryder Cup year, so Hovland will need to make sure his game is sharp enough to cement his place once again joining the European team. For his sake, I hope Eaton can help get him back on track.
Hovland is part of an elite field for this week's Dubai Desert Classic, including defending champion Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
