2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Southwind
Slowly but surely, Viktor Hovland keeps getting better at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
He debuted at TPC Southwind in 2020 with a T-59th (67-75-72-69) finish in 2020. The Norwegian moved up to T-36th (73-65-69-71) in 2021 and T-20th (67-70-67-68) last year.
"“Yeah, you definitely need to hit fairways out here,” Hovland was quoted by Tee Scripts in 2020. “If you’re in the rough, you’re just not going to get very close, especially with the fairways being very soft.”"
Hovland brings in healthy enough form to make him a good pick this week regardless of course fit. He’s got the ball striking to contend at any modern course and has begun to show improvements on and around the greens.
Hovland is one of the most consistent players in the world. He’s got the second-longest active made-cuts streak on the PGA Tour at 24.
The 25-year-old has finished inside the top 30 in his last seven events.
Hovland won a designated event this year at the Memorial Tournament.
He comes to Tennessee well-rested following two weeks off since his T-13th at The Open Championship.
Hovland ranks seventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained per round off the tee (.702). He’s ninth in SG tee-to-green (1.315), 13th in SG total (1.42), and 21st in SG approach (.546).
Hovland is also second in proximity from the rough (38’7”), so he’s never out of a hole.
He’s a lock for the European Ryder Cup team this fall.