Hovland Dumps Old Driver, Wins Travelers Championship

Viktor Hovland ended his struggles with driving consistency by switching to a new driver, which culminated in a victory at the Travelers Championship. Previously ranked outside the top 100 in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee earlier in 2026, Hovland found success with the Ping G440 LST. This move replaced his long-standing Ping G425 LST, a club he had used since 2020, highlighting his commitment to overcoming a recent performance dip.

The transition involved extensive testing, with Hovland evaluating different Ping models and shafts. He noted issues with spin consistency and launch angles on his older driver, which exacerbated his natural miss. The new G440 LST, paired with a Fujikura Ventus TR Black+ 6-X shaft, provided improved start-line control and feel, helping him regain confidence off the tee. This strategic equipment change allowed him to lead the field in driving at the Travelers Championship, ultimately leading to his playoff win.

This driver switch, which Hovland prepared for during a three-week break after the PGA Championship, saw him bring only the new model to Canada. His performance at TPC River Highlands demonstrated the effectiveness of the change, as he led in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and found the fairway on critical shots, including both tee shots on the 18th hole during the playoff.