How Long Before Viktor Hovland is a Major Champion?

With a clench of his fist, Viktor Hovland celebrated victory. A sensational four-under 67 in his final round meant the Norwegian triumphed in the World Wide Technology Championship, claiming back-to-back titles at the Mayakoba tournament. 

This was an exhibition of everything that makes Hovland so highly rated — crisp hitting, delicate putting, and a general sense that this is a young man confident in himself and in his game. A career-best score of 62 in round three put him in a great position, and he showed maturity beyond his 24 years to see out victory with room to spare, finishing four shots clear of second-place Carlos Ortiz. 

“It feels awesome,” Hovland reflected. “Obviously I felt like my game was in a good spot going into this week and I know this course fits my game really well, but there was some stuff that didn’t quite go my way at the start of the week. It was nice to overcome those troubles! 

“I was coming in with some high expectations, but obviously for it to end like this and win by four shots, it’s been a cool week. Couldn’t ask for it to go any different.”

Along with the Puerto Rico Open, which Hovland won back in February 2020, becoming the first Norwegian to win an event on the PGA Tour, he now has three PGA titles to his name. There is also the small matter of Hovland’s BMW International Open success in Munich on the European Tour back in June, so it’s clear that the 24-year-old is developing a taste for winning. 

The next step is to take his game to another level and compete in the four major championships. Hovland burst onto the scene in 2019, finishing as the Low Amateur in both the Masters and the US Open, but since then he has not really competed in a meaningful way in any of the majors. His best result is a tied-for-12th finish at The Open earlier this year, but he was still nine shots off winner Collin Morikawa, so you can understand why he’s not a natural favorite in the sports betting online at Betfair.

All eyes will be on Hovland as he heads to Augusta National in April for the Masters. He had the experience of a lifetime in 2019, finishing tied for 32nd as Low Amateur and earning the chance to sit in the Butler Cabin alongside Tiger Woods, who produced a sensational performance, rolling back the years and win the Masters for a fifth time.

Hovland will have his sight set on one day sitting there as the winner, pulling on the Green Jacket and joining golfing royalty. His performances in smaller events over the past couple of years have proved he has what it takes, but demonstrating that quality in the biggest tournaments is easier said than done. 

The Norwegian’s first taste of the Ryder Cup back in September will stand him in good stead for the coming years. Even though Europe suffered a chastening defeat, Hovland will have learned a lot from playing in that high-pressured competitive environment, and it’s that experience of the big occasion that will help him challenge for majors. 

There is an exciting future lying in wait for Hovland, and if his performance in Mexico is anything to go by, he could have a big say in 2022’s major championships. 

 

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