The expectations for the 2025 schedule have turned into a major worry for the league. Since the beginning of the calendar year, the event’s viewership has seen a huge drop. Additionally, player absences and withdrawals are an add-on to the consistent fall in viewership worry. Even though now with AT&T Pebble Beach, many prominent names have made their debut for the 2025 schedule, it could give a boost to the viewership.

However, the curse of player withdrawal is still haunting the league. As we move to the second month of the 2025 calendar year, the worry of players withdrawing from the event continues. Earlier the Farmers Insurance Open took a massive hit with more than 15 players withdrawing from the event.

Now the WM Phoenix Open, which earlier shared the great news of many players’s participation, including Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, and others. Unfortunately, adding to that thread is the tragic withdrawal of Viktor Hovland. The update was shared on X from the official PGA Tour Communication account. The post read, “WM Phoenix Open field updates: Viktor Hovland – WD.”

Before the ongoing AT&T Pebble Beach, Hovland shared his frustration, saying, “I suck at (golf) right now.” He even continued, stating, “Right now, it’s pretty frustrating. This game of golf, as I said earlier, it’s very elusive, it’s counterintuitive, and it’s very difficult right now. But I know there’s a lot of good golf in me that will be there in the future and that I’ve played in the past. Things will turn around soon.”

But his comeback by scoring 65 a stroke above the leaderboard topper in the first round, made the fans hopeful. Sadly, the news has turned it down. After the disheartening confession of his game, the news is even harder for the fans to digest. But, fans aren’t the only ones to take the blow as the Tour would have a massive effect with Hovland and many other golfers missing out on the WM Phoenix Open.

Other players missing the WM Phoenix Open

After the Farmers Insurance Open, the withdrawal rate might have dropped, but players missing out is still a worry. Despite the numerous withdrawals at the Farmers Insurance Open, Ludvig Aberg was the one who went on to play the event, even with his illness. However, he struggled after the first round and saw a drop in his performance, resulting in a T42 finish. Further, at AT&T Pebble Beach, he withdrew himself after the first round and now has made it clear to keep recovery as a priority. So unfortunately the 25-year-old will be missing out on the Phoenix Open.

Along with him, Xander Schauffele will continue to miss out. After participating in the Sentry 2025, he took a break to recover from his long-backed right rib injury, and his return is expected to be at the Genesis Open. Apart from these names, Rory McIlroy has also not shown interest in participating. He said, “I struggle off the tee here. I feel like all the fairway bunkers are right in my landing zones.” McIlroy had already also announced about keeping his schedule limited. So we should expect fewer appearances of the golfer this season.

Now with the zero-tolerance rule introduced for the fans and some names missing from the league. Will the event start the viewership revival for the PGA Tour? Or will another event take the massive blow of falling viewership? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.