2021 CJ Cup: Viktor Hovland Remains in Contention

Viktor Hovland has gotten off to a very good start in the CJ Cup through two rounds. The Norwegian native fired in a bogey free seven under 65 on Thursday, followed by a four under 68.

After finishing T44 last week at the Shriners, which was his first tournament since Europe’s historic Ryder Cup loss, he’s in the mix to grab his first PGA Tour win of the 2022 season.

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He’s currently in a log jam of a tie for 7th right now at -11. Hovland, along with the entire rest of the field will have to work to try and catch Keith Mitchell, who is just shredding The Summit Club to tiny pieces with a seven shot lead on Hovland, and five shots on the group in 2nd.

This would be a phenomenal start for the Oklahoma State product to win early this year. I’m expecting big things from him this year. We know he has all of the skills to be a player in every event that he competes in.

Too often last season, we saw Hovland get off to great starts in majors and other big tournaments, only to inevitably fade on Friday and into the weekend.

It’s just that that he has to avoid. He has been a very volatile with his play in the early stages of his career. There are times we watch him and there doesn’t look like a better player on planet Earth. Then there are times where he looks like the 24-year old he is.

Some of Hovland’s inefficiencies were very apparent during the Ryder Cup. A lot of that has to do with only four matches going on for two days and twelve groups on the final day. All of it is televised the microscope is so much closer in the Ryder Cup. He just plays with a lot of inconsistency too often.

It might sound like I’m really giving Viktor the business here, but that’s not the case. I really like Viktor Hovland. I like his game, I like how he carries himself on and off the course. He’s a fireballer. The birdies can come very quickly when he’s right.

Hovland has never finished inside the top 10 in a major. His best finish in T12 twice. I expect that to change this year. Winning early in the season, like the CJ Cup, could go a long way to taking that next step.

Next. 2021 Shriners Open: Winners and Losers in Las Vegas. dark

I know he’s seven shots back, and Keith Mitchell looks invincible out there, but Hovland has chance to win this. If he continues to play over the weekend like he did Thursday and Friday he’s got a great chance. His scoring ability is just so good.

Even if he falls short, he can build some momentum going forward through the early season. It’s time he really makes some noise around the golf world.

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