Overview
- Hovland opened the Genesis Invitational with a 2-under 69, leading the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee by more than three shots and ranking seventh tee-to-green, per DataGolf.
- PGA Tour Live captured him using a resistance band in an early range session, a drill he said gave him a tangible swing feel he could carry to the course.
- He sits four shots behind overnight leader Aaron Rai after play was suspended for darkness, finishing his round before the delay and earning a later Friday tee time.
- His recent experimentation included pool floaties at the WM Phoenix Open—purchased by caddie Shay Knight at Walmart—to create downswing width, where he finished T-10 after gaining over four strokes on approach.
- Following a T-58 at Pebble Beach and ongoing driver and shaft tests with a Ping 440K, he noted progress at Riviera, where he historically ranks second in average driving distance at 303.4 yards.