Viktor Hovland finds his first career win in Puerto Rico
In case you missed it, there was a secondary event going on this week on the PGA Tour. It was still quite the talented field over at the Puerto Rico Open, and a first-time winner found his way to the top of the leaderboard in Viktor Hovland.
It wasn’t easy, but Viktor Hovland finally found his way to the top of a PGA Tour leaderboard, albeit at a secondary event. He was able to win the Puerto Rico Open and did it with as much drama as the showdown at the main event at the WGC-Mexico Championship between Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau.
It wasn’t easy for Hovland. Not only did he have another golfer right on his tail, but he had a blow-up hole that almost cost him the victory.
Let’s start with the golfer who was pushing him all day on Sunday. That would be Josh Teater. He came into Sunday’s round two-shot back of Viktor Hovland and put together a final-round 69, which was enough to force Hovland to have a strong Sunday if he wanted to win.
More from Pro Golf Now
- Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
- Fantasy Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational DFS Player Selections
- Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
- Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
- Fantasy Golf: An Early Look at the 2024 Masters Tournament
The other issue Sunday for Hovland was the 11th hole.
It’s not often that you see an “other” on the winning player’s scorecard. Especially during the final round. That’s exactly what happened to Viktor Hovland, and he condensed it down to one reason, at least according to a post-round interview.
“I just suck at chipping… I definitely need to work on my short game, and I was 100 percent exposed there on that hole.”
Well, at least it was the problem on the par-three 11th hole. He ended up carding a six, which dropped him down to -17, meaning that he was tied with Teater with seven holes left to play.
It’s funny, in a way, that he struggled with chipping on the 11th, telling the world that he sucks at it, especially when you look at his birdie on the previous hole.
You know… the one that he chipped in for.
It wouldn’t be the only chip-in that he would have on the back nine on Sunday. Sitting off the green on the par-five 15th hole, he would chip in once again, this time for eagle. It was needed too, as Teater birdied that same hole. This would give Hovland a one-shot lead, at least for the time being.
Teater tied it up again with a birdie at the 17th, meaning that they would be heading to the 18th hole tied, essentially starting the playoff one hole early. No one else was even close to the -19 number that Hovland and Teater were at. Kyle Stanley, Emiliano Grillo, and Sam Ryder all finished at -15, well out of contention.
The last hole of the Puerto Rico Open was a par-five, so you had to expect one of the players, if not both, would be able to find a scoring opportunity.
It turned out to be Hovland and only Hovland who would capitalize.
He would make his birdie putt, and win the Puerto Rico Open. Not only did he net a cool $540K, but he also earned 300 FedEx Cup points, and a nice PGA Tour exemption through 2022, along with entry into several top-level events.
Next. Brooks Koepka: Providing the Commentary We Need. dark
Congratulations to Viktor Hovland on his first career PGA Tour win. Chances are, there will be many more tournaments that finish with his name at the top of the leaderboard.