Viktor Hovland keen to banish 'bad habits' in Dubai

Viktor Hovland is keen to banish “bad habits” as he aims to return to winning ways at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The Norwegian has not won a title on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour since August 2023, having claimed eight victories across the two Tours in the three-and-a-half years prior to that.

The World Number Eight has enjoyed previous success at Emirates Golf Club, having won on his last visit in 2022 and claiming his first Rolex Series title in the process.

“It's good to be back,” said Hovland. “Obviously some good memories here from three years ago. Yeah, love this place and excited to get started.”

Asked about his targets for 2025, he added: “Not really a whole lot of results-oriented goals.

“It's mostly about just process and making sure that I'm controlling the things that I can control; that technique-wise, things are in order, and I'm doing the right things that increases the chances of me playing the best that I can. And then whatever happens, happens.”

On going through a calendar year without a victory for the first time since bursting onto the scene, the 27-year-old continued: “It certainly makes me cherish how I used to play golf for the first, say, four years of my career.

“It's been very effortless. Just kind of standing over the ball and knowing that, okay, the ball is going to start somewhere there end and up over there somewhere. That's a pretty stress-free way of playing golf.

“Obviously I've always tried to push myself, and even when it was really good, I kept on pushing it, and maybe setting too high expectations because maybe didn't realise how good it was or I thought it could continue to get better and better and better.

“For the most part of my career, every decision that I've made to change something up in order to play better, it has worked.

“But you know, last year and some change, I've just gotten into some bad habits, and there's been a couple key moves that I used to make in my old golf swing that I'm currently not doing.

“I've got to get back to making that movement in order to play my best golf. That's just kind of where we're at.”

Hovland's preparations for the season were hampered by a bizarre injury last month, when he broke his toe on a bed-frame after turning the lights off.

However, having paid through the pain to finish tied for 36th in Hawaii, Hovland hopes to continue his recovery without any further issues.

“It's healed a lot the last couple weeks but it did bother me a little bit the last couple days,” he said. “I forgot to bring my shoes that was half a size bigger that I used in Hawaii. That did help. These shoes were a little bit tight, but no issue. It should be fine.”