Following a grueling 19-month dry spell and ongoing struggles with his swing, Norwegian golf pro, Viktor Hovland, has finally broken through to claim a title. Despite the statistical odds leaning in favor of Justin Thomas in the Valspar Championship, it was Hovland who triumphed, leaving golf industry insiders buzzing with commentary.
On the Golf Podcast with Rex and Lev, a detailed discussion, stretching over an impressive 52 minutes, was dedicated to Hovland’s recent victory. The conversation centered around the Norwegian’s intense practice regime, particularly his commitment to refining his driving skills after a disappointing opening round. As one insider noted, “Viktor Hovland was on the range basically shutting it down after that opening 80, just hitting driver after driver after driver, knowing that he was close.”
Indeed, Hovland’s perseverance is nothing short of inspiring. Despite missing the cut at both the PLAYERS and Arnold Palmer Invitationals, he remained confident in his ability to score well. His conviction was validated at the Valspar Championship, where he concluded with an 11-under 273, just edging out Thomas’s 10-under 274. Hovland’s birdies on the Moccasin and the Rattler proved crucial, helping him recover from a final round bogey on the Copperhead.
During the podcast discussion, an insider lauded Hovland’s determination and work ethic, boldly asserting, “You are not going to outwork Viktor Hovland you are not going to outsmart Viktor Hovland.” Hovland has demonstrated remarkable resilience, particularly in the face of a 19-month winless period.
To overcome his swing difficulties, Hovland experimented with various strategies, including switching swing coaches and testing different putters and golf shoes. His persistent efforts and eventual triumph in a highly competitive field, with pros such as Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele, earned him the moniker of “Perfectionist” from the golf insiders.
Interestingly, there were doubts about Hovland’s participation in the Valspar Championship, possibly due to his less than stellar performance at the PLAYERS Championship. According to Sky Sports, the Norwegian only made the decision to participate upon arriving at the Copperhead Course. Reflecting on his win, an ecstatic Hovland shared, “It feels unbelievable. It’s been quite the struggle the past year and a half, so for me to come back and win this tournament is quite incredible.”
Even with this victory under his belt, Hovland remains modest about his prospects for the Masters. Despite holding seven PGA Tour titles, he has yet to score a major win. As he prepares for the much-anticipated Augusta showdown, Hovland is not resting on his laurels. His focus is on fine-tuning his swing and developing the skills necessary to take on Augusta.
Hovland’s self-critical disposition might raise eyebrows, but he believes it’s a key driver of his success. In his own words, “I am hard on myself, yeah, but that’s also why I am good.” His relentless pursuit of excellence continues, with his sights set on donning the green jacket at the Masters next month.
As we revel in Hovland’s triumphant performance at the Valspar Championship, it’s exciting to speculate on his potential to clinch the majors this year. Regardless of the outcome, Hovland’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and relentless determination, qualities that will continue to define his career in the years to come.