Travelers Championship: Dark horse Candidates at TPC River Highlands

Travelers Championship: Dark Horse Candidates at TPC River Highlands

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a second shot on the sixth hole during a practice round prior to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 11, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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Viktor Hovland was the low amateur, shooting -4

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 16: Amateur Viktor Hovland of Norway celebrates with his low amateur award medal at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 16, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

Viktor Hovland – 66/1

I have to give out Viktor Hovland again this week. Yes, it might be over-reactionary after how well he played last week. Yes, his nerves might fray and the adrenaline could be gone from playing so well at The U.S. Open. So what!

Hovland showed that he belonged in the conversation last week at Pebble Beach. He played incredible well, and was putting some thoughts in people heads during the start of his first round about who the heck is this youngster?

He came out hot last week, birdieing four of his first six holes. He nearly did one better, as he left and eagle putt just short on the par 5 6th hole, which he ended up settling for birdie.

If you didn’t know about Hovland before last week, you surely have heard of him now. The 2018 U.S. Amateur Champion played in the Masters earlier this year, an invitation he earned from winning the Amateur Championship. He placed as the low amateur there as well, shooting a very respectable -3.

He one upped himself at Pebble Beach, actually breaking a nearly 60 year old record for lowest score by an amateur at The U.S. Open. I’ll keep riding that dark horse Hovland train, picking him as one to watch this week at The Travelers.

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