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A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier: Top 10 power rankings

By Mike Randleman

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV - JULY 8 : The trophy sits on the first hole tee box during the final round of A Military Tribute At The Greenbrier held at the Old White TPC course on July 8, 2018 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV - JULY 8 : The trophy sits on the first hole tee box during the final round of A Military Tribute At The Greenbrier held at the Old White TPC course on July 8, 2018 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, IDAHO – AUGUST 25: Viktor Hovland of Norway hits on the 5th hole during the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour Albertson’s Boise Open at Hillcrest Country Club on August 25, 2019 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
BOISE, IDAHO – AUGUST 25: Viktor Hovland of Norway hits on the 5th hole during the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour Albertson’s Boise Open at Hillcrest Country Club on August 25, 2019 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

It seems to be a matter of when, not if, for Viktor Hovland. He’s played as well or better than fellow young guns Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff.

The difference? Hovland’s still looking to find the winner’s circle.

The Norwegian used his 2018 U.S. Amateur victory to get into the Masters (T-32) and U.S. Open (T-12) where he showed well. He thrived on sponsor’s exemptions and ended up making 8 of 10 PGA Tour cuts highlighted by solo fourth at the Wyndham Championship.

The Oklahoma State product five top-25s on Tour with a T-13 at the historic Australian Open to boot.

Unfortunately for young players, it’s hard to earn your card if you’re playing without status. He needed to win a Tour event to get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs and bypass the Korn Ferry Tour Finals to earn his card.

He couldn’t quite get it done and was forced to the KFT Finals, much to the chagrin of some (like me).

Hovland was unfazed, reeling off finishes of T-11 and T-2 in the first two KFT events. That was enough to allow him to rest for the third and final event in prep for a heavy fall schedule on the big tour.

The 21-year-old is mature beyond his years and strikes the ball as well as any. His 1.058 strokes gained off the tee would rank near the top of the PGA Tour if he had enough measured rounds.

Hovland was also .947 SG approach. He averaged 301.4 yards off the tee while maintaining 73.61% fairways hit.

If not this week, Hovland’s going to win one of these fall events.

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