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Viktor Hovland: long shot could still win FedEx Cup

By Tim Letcher

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Vicktor Hovland of Norway plays a shot on the 14th hole during the first round of The PLAYERS at the TPC Stadium course on March 12, 2020 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Vicktor Hovland of Norway plays a shot on the 14th hole during the first round of The PLAYERS at the TPC Stadium course on March 12, 2020 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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It’s not likely, but PGA Tour standout Viktor Hovland could still win this year’s FedEx Cup

With the PGA Tour set to resume next week, and the FedEx Cup race also set to re-start, it’s time to look at a few players who, if everything falls their way, could make a run at the cup this summer/early fall. The first player who could do so is Viktor Hovland.

A native of Oslo, Norway, Hovland played his college golf at Oklahoma State, alongside Matthew Wolff, among others. Hovland won the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach Golf Links and in 2019, was the low amateur at the Masters and the U.S. Open. He became the first player since Matt Kuchar in 1998 to accomplish that feat.

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Also in 2019, Hovland earned his PGA Tour card by ranking sixth on the Korn Ferry Tour money list. He quickly made the transition from amateur to professional and made it look easy in the process.

The 2020 season has been a bright one for Hovland so far as well

He became the first player from Norway to ever record a victory on the PGA Tour when he won the Puerto Rico Open in February, edging out Josh Teater with a birdie on the final hole. The win came in just his 17th career start and, by winning the U.S. Amateur and on the PGA Tour before the age of 23, he joined a club that includes Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and David Gossett.

Overall this season, Hovland has made nine starts and has made six cuts. In addition to his win in Puerto Rico, he also recorded a T10 at the Military Tribute at The Greenbrier.

While those tournaments may not have been against the best fields on tour, Hovland has also proven that he can compete with the big boys. He tied for 38th at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and tied for 42nd at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Here’s why Hovland could make a run at the FedEx Cup this summer. First of all, he’s got a ton of game. As he gets his feet under him even more this season, he can make even greater strides on tour. That could mean a climb in the standings.

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Hovland’s other advantage is his age. At just 22 years of age (he doesn’t turn 23 until September), Hovland will have plenty of energy to play through the PGA Tour’s condensed schedule. While other players may be selective when and where they play, Hovland could theoretically play every week (he won’t, but he could) and could accumulate points while others are resting.

Hovland is currently 44th in the FedEx Cup standings, so he’s going to need at least another win if he is to make a run at the cup. And while that goal is very lofty for him this season, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could win a cup of his own one day.

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