2023 RBC Heritage: Top 10 Power Rankings at Harbour Town

Viktor Hovland still has room for improvement as far as finishing off major championships, but the young Norwegian deserves credit for top-10s in each of the last two.

He finished T-4th playing in the final pairing at last year’s Open Championship and earned T-7th at this year’s Masters playing in the penultimate pairing.

Hovland jumped out to the 18-hole co-lead at Augusta National after a 7-under 65. He hung around par the next three days to finish 73-70-74 in cold, wet conditions.

Now, the Oklahoma State alum arrives at the RBC Heritage for the second time.

Hovland’s Harbour Town debut came in 2020 when he posted 65-71-68-66 (-14) for T-21st. He holed out from around 30 yards for an eagle on the ninth hole in round one.

The 25-year-old is seeking his first official win of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season, though he did win the exhibition Hero World Challenge in December for the second consecutive year.

He does have three official career wins. A fourth this week would be the best of the bunch.

Hovland has quietly been playing well in recent weeks along with his high finish at the Masters. He’s on a streak of 11 straight stroke play cuts made worldwide dating back to July.

Hovland’s last four stroke play events have all been top-20s, including T-3rd at the Players Championship.

He ranks first on the PGA Tour this season in average approach proximity from the rough (34’8”). At a course where it’s hard to find the short grass, especially with driver, that’s a big asset.

Hovland still hits a lot of fairways, too. He’s 18th in driving accuracy (66.01%) while still producing top-50 power off the tee.

Last week, he showed some improvement in his short game that’s plagued him throughout his career.

If Hovland can keep it together around the greens this week, I like his chances to get in the win column.