“I think we’re going to get one of these soon“: Viktor Hovland optimistic of his majors chances despite heartbreak at the 2023 PGA Championship
Viktor Hovland has established a solid reputation for himself on the PGA Tour. After a productive collegiate career at Oklahoma State University, where he won the 2018 U.S. Amateur, he went professional in 2019.
He has now established himself as a talent to watch on the circuit. With several top-10 finishes in recent months, Hovland believes that a Major victory is soon around the corner.
He revealed in a recent interview after his T2 finish at the 2023 PGA Championship that:
"I think we're going to get one of these soon".
Viktor Hovland on the rise
Hovland competed for Norway at the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021, where he tied for 14th place. He was the first Norwegian golfer to compete in the Olympics since 1900 and one of only four sportsmen from Norway to compete in the games.
In February 2020, Hovland won his first PGA Tour match at the Puerto Rico Open. He became the first Norwegian to win on the PGA Tour by defeating Josh Teater by one shot to claim the title.
Hovland's victory was a crucial turning point in his professional golfing since it demonstrated his capacity to compete and triumph at the highest level. In June 2021, he again became the first Norwegian to win on the European Tour with a win at the BMW International Open.
Viktor Hovland: consistency is key
Hovland has impressed on the PGA Tour ever since winning the Puerto Rico Open. His top-10 finishes include a tie for third place in the 2020 U.S. Open and a tie for second place at the 2021 WGC-Workday Championship. Most recently, he's tied for second at the 2023 PGA Championship and tied for seventh at the 2023 Masters.
Hovland's success is attributed to his exceptional ball-striking skills. When it comes to strokes gained off the tee and strokes gained approach to the green, he ranks in the top-10 on the PGA Tour.
Viktor Hovland's success on the PGA Tour has drawn comparisons to fan favorite Rickie Fowler, a popular American golfer who turned pro in 2009. With five PGA Tour titles and many top-10 performances in major events, Fowler has had a tremendous career. However, he always seems to find himself just out of reach of a majors victory.
Viktor Hovland, in comparison, is still in the early stages of his career and has already demonstrated the ability to become a significant champion. His recent majors championship performances have been strong. He tied for 4th at the 2022 U.S Open, tied for 7th at the 2023 Masters, and tied for 2nd at the 2023 PGA Championship. He is a player to watch in upcoming majors events because of his remarkable ball-striking skills and developing PGA Tour experience.
Viktor Hovland is a rising star on the PGA Tour and a top contributor to the sport of golf. His ability to play at the highest level of professional golf is evident from his first victory at the Puerto Rico Open and his other top-10 finishes. He is a player to watch in upcoming major tournaments because of his world class attributes and increasing tour experience.
As Hovland builds on his already outstanding career accomplishments, fans of the sport will definitely be watching to see what he can achieve in the next few years. Hopefully, he will add a majors victory to his achievements.