2024 US Open: Top 10 power rankings at Pinehurst

As I stated in the intro, I could see Viktor Hovland pulling a Martin Kaymer and using his putter off the green to roll his way to a U.S. Open victory.

Or not. Hovland is back with short game coach Joe Mayo, so maybe he’ll be comfortable clipping shots around the green off the firm short grass with his wedges.

Regardless of his strategy around the greens, it may not matter if his ball striking is what it’s been throughout his career.

This season on the PGA Tour through June 2, the 26-year-old Norwegian ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (.591). Last season, he was eighth in SG: Off-the-Tee (.741) and fifth in SG: Tee-to-Green (1.412).

Hovland was in a slump for much of 2024 before regaining trust in his game by nearly battling all the way back to win the PGA Championship last month at Valhalla. He posted four rounds in the 60s and was in it to the end, settling for third place and three shots back of champion Xander Schauffele.

Hovland has become a much better major player in the last few years after failing to record a top-10 in his first 11 starts. He has four top-10s (all top-sevens, to be specific) in his last seven majors. Hovland was T-2nd at the 2023 PGA where he pushed Brooks Koepka on Sunday.

Hovland took a couple weeks off to rest after Valhalla. He showed well in his pre-U.S. Open tune-up, finishing T-15th at Jack’s Place. He was fifth in the field in SG: Off-the-Tee (3.065) and fifth in SG: Approach (4.497).

This will be Hovland’s first competition at Pinehurst No. 2.