When Viktor Hovland walked on the TPC River Highlands for the 2025 Travelers Championship, he was probably hoping to keep up his newfound momentum. Having started the season with three missed cuts in a row, the Norwegian turned the tide with his first 2025 win at the Valspar Championship. Following that, he gave his best 2025 major finish at the 2025 U.S. Open (3), and seemed to carry the wave to the 2025 Travelers Championship. However, despite the promising start, Viktor Hovland dropped out of the Travelers Championship in the middle of the final round.

Shocking? Yes, it is. However, the trouble for Hovland started even before he kicked off his final round. After recording scores of 66-75 in the first two rounds before making a comeback on Saturday, he practiced on the range and mentioned that he felt excellent. Hovland aimed to hit a few more drivers before heading to the first tee. And he did, at least until the last drive. After hitting his last drive, he realized something was seriously wrong with his neck.

Noticing that he is “not able to move,” Hovland said, “It was just moving around. I could hardly just stand over the ball and move my neck. Couldn’t really do anything.” With only five minutes remaining before his tee time, Hovland had someone examine his neck. When they determined that playing wasn’t feasible, he faced the difficult choice to withdraw. And then, he did.

Sure, the chances of Hovland scoring his second win of the season at the 2025 Travelers Championship looked slim to none, considering he started off the day 11 shots behind the leader; however, it is disappointing nonetheless. But, hey, something else seems to add to this disappointment: the other withdrawals from the event.

Before the Sunday round, Jordan Spieth withdrew after hitting his tee shot on the 13th hole during his opening round because of a back injury. Similarly, Si Woo Kim also left the tournament after reaching the 12th hole of the second round due to a back problem.

On the other hand, when it comes to Hovland, this wasn’t the first time he had to withdraw from an event due to injury. Before The Sentry, he revealed a freak toe injury he sustained in his bedroom just before the 2025 PGA Tour campaign. The 27-year-old had already taken a four-month break from competition to work on his swing while recovering from a wrist injury. That week, he was spotted walking with a noticeable limp while practicing his chipping and putting at the Plantation course in Kapalua. Though his recent health scare has scared the fans.

Golf fans are shocked and worried about Viktor Hovland’s last-minute exit

After the shocking update from the PGA Tour, one worried fan said of the situation, “This is a peculiar one. Went bonkers yesterday. Hope he feels better soon,” and another fan couldn’t help but utter a single word, “Damn!!!!” Peculiar indeed and so shocking, especially considering Hovland’s Saturday run (63). Though certainly not his first mid-round withdrawal.

In the second round of the 2021 U.S. Open, Norway’s Viktor Hovland withdrew due to an eye injury he sustained from sand getting into his eye while hitting a bunker shot during warm-ups. The USGA reported that Hovland sought medical help twice, and the irritation became severe enough for him to decide against continuing. Later on Friday, Hovland shared on his Instagram that he attempted to play despite experiencing “greatly diminished eyesight,” but ultimately chose to withdraw when his condition worsened.

Another fan showed their frustration and said, “Wtf is happening in Cromwell Connecticut? Stiff beds? No pillows?” Are pillows really at fault? Although we cannot confirm that, another golfer, Si Woo Kim, withdrew from the Travelers Championship in the second round after re-aggravating a back injury during a challenging stretch at TPC River Highlands. His withdrawal marked the second time this season he has withdrawn mid-event due to back pain, with the first instance occurring in May at the Wells Fargo Championship.

One fan said, “4 WDs – The Quitters Classic.” Aside from the golfers we have already talked about, a couple of other Tour pros walked out of the Travelers Championship even before it began. Corey Conners and Brian Campbell, both originally in the field, withdrew before the tournament. Conners withdrew due to a wrist injury he sustained at the U.S. Open, while Campbell had a shoulder injury before the Connecticut event.

Lastly, a fan said, “Hopefully it’s nothing serious.” Following Hovland’s strong performance at the Oakmont Major last week and his victory at the Valspar Championship, Viktor Hovland will now focus on recovering fully to compete for his first Major title at next month’s Open. Let’s hope it goes his way.