PGA Tour: can Viktor Hovland contend at Rocket Mortgage Classic?
By Tim Letcher
Viktor Hovland got his first win on the PGA Tour earlier this season. Can he earn career win number two at the Rocket Mortgage Classic?
Everyone on the PGA Tour agrees that it’s just a matter of time before Viktor Hovland wins another tour event. And it could come as soon as this week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.
Hovland got his first career win in February when he sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the Puerto Rico Open by one shot over Josh Teater. Many saw that as what would be the first of many wins for the native of Oslo, Norway.
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
In addition to the win, Hovland has had a solid season all around. He opened with a tie for 10th at the Military Tribute at the Greenbrier. He followed that with a tie for 31s at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges and a tie for 41st at the Zozo Championship.
He missed the cut in his next two starts, at the Mayakoba Golf Classic and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He tied for 38th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am before his win in Puerto Rico. He missed the cut at the Honda Classic before finishing in a tie for 42nd at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March.
Hovland has had a very solid restart to the PGA Tour season
He had a big weekend at Colonial Country Club to finish in a tie for 23rd at the Charles Schwab Classic. Another solid weekend allowed him to finish in a tie for 21st at the RBC Heritage.
Then last week, Hovland shot a first-round 63 on his way to a tie for 11th place at the Travelers Championship. It was Hovland’s fifth top 25 of the season.
In addition to being in outstanding form, Hovland has experience at this week’s venue. Last year, playing in just his second event as a professional, Hovland tied for 13th in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Next. Best Golfers in Each State: Ohio Golf and Jack Nicklaus. dark
Hovland is still just 22 years old and has plenty of good years ahead of him on the PGA Tour. However, he has a big chance this week to take advantage of a field that’s not loaded with superstars. Sure, FedEx Cup standings leader Webb Simpson is in the field, as is Bryson DeChambeau. But Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and many of the other big guns have elected to sit this one out.
We’re not saying that Hovland is going to win this week, but we are saying that he has a great opportunity. Look for him to be in contention all weekend in Detroit.