KAPALUA, Hawaii — Viktor Hovland is set to return to the competitive golfing scene at The Sentry on Thursday, marking the end of a 122-day hiatus—his longest break as a professional golfer. The Norwegian athlete was eager to get back to the sport, but a bizarre incident upon his arrival in Hawaii marred his enthusiasm.

During the night, Hovland accidentally hit his right pinkie toe against the bed frame, resulting in a serious injury that he later showcased on his Instagram. He humorously noted the situation, stating, “It’s the best one to break,” alluding to the non-dominant toe being less critical for his golf swing.

The journey from Norway to Kapalua took him a full day, leaving Hovland exhausted, leading him to fall asleep in his clothes. He recounted the experience: “I got up in the middle of the night to turn down the lights and stubbed it on the bed frame. It happens.” Although he displayed a slight limp while practicing chipping and putting at the Plantation course, he felt improvement was already underway. Hovland mentioned he was using tape for support and had taken pain medication to alleviate discomfort. “I think the walking will be the toughest part this week,” he admitted, particularly considering the challenging terrain of the Kapalua course, while expressing optimism that his swing was improving.

This lengthy break from golfing was intentional, as Hovland explained that he needed the time to recover from a persistent wrist issue and to recalibrate his swing. He recently parted ways with swing coach Joe Mayo after a long-standing collaboration and has chosen to explore a path that allows for self-direction. Even though he finished third in the PGA Championship and was runner-up at a FedEx Cup playoff event, he felt that his performance was not up to his own standards following a victorious season-inclination where he won the FedEx Cup in 2023. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Hovland has been reflecting on his previous tournaments, saying, “It’s cool to look back that I almost won a major and fought for the playoffs.”

Throughout his break, Hovland focused on refining his golfing skills while also taking moments to unwind. He indicated that while he wasn’t reinventing his swing, he was revisiting fundamental aspects of his game. “You have to look at the basics. You have a couple of fundamental changes, and then things tend to go awry when you play badly,” he explained. When asked about coaching, Hovland confirmed he is not currently collaborating with Mayo but is seeking consultation from another coach, which he chose not to disclose.

Hovland aspires to gain complete ownership of his game eventually, acknowledging that understanding himself better as a player has been advantageous. “I can trust my intuition, but it’s useful to have others for insight,” he shared, expressing hope for future independence in his golfing style.

In other PGA Tour news, players are cashing in more than ever, with Scottie Scheffler topping the charts with over $62 million in 2023 earnings. Tour executives are also benefiting from this financial boom. According to 2023 tax filings, PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan’s total compensation stood at just over $23 million, while Ron Price, the COO who is retiring after three decades, received $13 million. Additionally, the filings revealed that four other top executives earned upwards of $2 million, contributing to a total of 14 who received over $1.2 million, with executive compensation reflecting a larger percentage of total expenses compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, Brian Harman, who won the British Open at Hoylake, saw a decline in his performance during the following season. Although he achieved notable moments like being runner-up at The Players Championship, he did not consistently build on his major victory. “My putting was the struggle,” he admitted, voicing his disappointment at not being able to replicate his success. Harmon echoed the sentiment that putting troubles can overshadow strong performances in other areas of the game, especially having his best ball-striking year.

In other noteworthy mentions, Tom Hoge celebrated a significant offseason, being inducted into the TCU Athletics Hall of Fame and welcoming his first child, named Thomas Bennett, in December. Michael Greller, caddie for Jordan Spieth, returned to Kapalua to fill in for Max Homa’s regular caddie, who is away for personal matters. Golf legend Gary Player expressed a desire to play at Pine Valley if he could choose only one course. The new TMRW Golf League is also set to launch next week, having secured a two-year broadcasting deal with Sky Sports in several regions.

This week at The Sentry, the 60-player lineup includes 10 participants who are not yet qualified for the Masters.

Finally, Padraig Harrington shared a piece of wisdom, stating, “Once somebody sets the bar, it gives someone the ability to see it. Every record can be broken.”