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Viktor Hovland Sets the Tone for a Big 2022

By Christian Paszko

LAHAINA, HAWAII - JANUARY 06: Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 06, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HAWAII - JANUARY 06: Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 06, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Boy is it good to have PGA Tour golf back as the Sentry Tournament of Champions got underway today out in Hawaii. All of the players that won in 2021 descended upon Maui for the first of two legs on the islands.

One of those that made a lot of noise early was Denmark’s best, Viktor Hovland.

Hovland was paired with Brooks Koepka for their opening round. Both were in pretty good form, but something about Viktor that just seemed like everything was good for him.

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Hovland could do no wrong on the front nine today, splitting fairway after fairway on the drenched turf at Kapalua, tossing the ball like a lawn dart onto the greens. He had everything going for well for him, firing a four-under 32 on his first nine, and really, it probably could’ve been lower.

He added another birdie on 10, before putting his tee shot into some tall, heavy grass and ended up taking an unplayable. His next shot was into the bunker before carding a double bogey on the 14th.

Now in the past, we’ve seen Viktor Hovland struggled to come back from adversity. Often times, he would usually string together couple rough holes. Not this time. On the very next hole, the par five 15th, he casually grabs an eagles like it’s nothing.

Hovland would bogey the 17th, finishing a four-under 69, which puts him in a tie for 12th place.

His back nine wasn’t as good as his front nine, but he made golf look so easy out there on the front. It was so effortless, maybe Viktor has taken another step forward. After all, he is only 24 years old.

Viktor Hovland is 7th in the world for a reason. He’s one of the best young players out there. Mark my words, Viktor Hovland will win a major in 2022. Yes, I believe it, the kid has all the tools to do it. Accuracy off the tee, great iron play, outstanding ball striking, improved putting, and most importantly, he has a great head saddled between his shoulders.

I can see the comments now if Hovland does’t win a major this year, but we’ll worry about that in July, post-St. Andrews. Either way, He’s one of the brightest young stars in golf, so let’s just enjoy the growth and wherever his career takes him.

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