Viktor Hovland reacts to a putt during the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. | Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Viktor Hovland, the fourth ranked player in the world, decided to withdraw from one of the PGA Tour’s most electric events.
Viktor Hovland has decided to withdraw from the Waste Management Phoenix Open following a poor performance at Pebble Beach.
He tied for 55th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, carding two rounds of even par 72 during the second and third rounds. He shot a 3-under 69 on day one at Spyglass Hill, and thus finished 14 strokes behind winner Wyndham Clark.
The reigning FedEx Cup champion struggled with his irons and his wedges, as he ranked 78th out of 80 players in strokes gained approaching the green. He was 73rd in strokes gained around the green as well.
Knowing this, Hovland needed a week off to rest, recuperate, and practice, per Marius Thorp of Euro Sport Norges Golf. The Norwegian will work on his game in Florida before returning to competitive play at the Genesis Invitational, the third signature event of the season.
Victor Perez of France will replace Hovland in the field.
Still, the 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open will feature six of the top 10 players in the world:
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Wyndham Clark
Max Homa
Matt Fitzpatrick
Brian Harman
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Scottie Scheffler hits a tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the 2022 WM Phoenix Open.
This week’s event, which is always one of the most electric tournaments of the year, will also include numerous individuals who participated in last year’s Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome:
Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas
Sam Burns
Rickie Fowler
Shane Lowry
Luke Donald
Zach Johnson
On top of that, plenty of other major champions will tee it up at TPC Scottsdale this week:
Hideki Matsuyama
Adam Scott
Stewart Cink
Lucas Glover
Gary Woodland
So, despite Hovland’s withdrawal, golf fans will still see a loaded field in the desert.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
