CROMWELL, CT. When then 20-year-old Viktor Hovland won the US Amateur at storied Pebble Beach in 2019, he catapulted himself up the golfing ladder. Clearly possessed of immense talent, his rocket launched off the pad in a big-time manner.
The first player to win the coveted title from Norway entered the pro golf scene in 2019 and has made steady progress in the years that have followed.
Hovland re-emerged with his 8th win on the PGA Tour in taking down world number one Scottie Scheffler in a one-hole sudden death playoff this past Monday.
Now 28-years-old, the forthcoming goal for the 12th-ranked player in the world, is to secure his first major championship.
Hovland’s golf game has gone through various cycles during his pro golf career. At times he has disappeared from the front page — courtesy of a misbehaving putter — and then re-emerged.
Taking down Scheffler at The Travelers was a clear uptick. The 30-year-old Texan had bolted out in front courtesy of opening scores of 64-60=124. Hovland trailing by two at the halfway point, however, entered the final round one shot ahead.
Both men started slowly — Hovland with a one-over-par 36 and Scheffler in even-par 35.
Then matters heated up during the inward half.
When Hovland bogied the 10th – Scheffler birdied. The lead was now in the hands of the world’s best player. Hovland battled back fiercely — stringing together three consecutive birdies starting at the 13th.
When both men came to the finishing hole — each reached the green in the regulation stroke. Scheffler putted first from 30 feet and his ball slid by the hole a most uncomfortable 8 feet away. Hovland’s birdie putt from 20 feet barely missed the hole for the victory. Then Scheffler rose to the occasion in dropping his putt and the two finished deadlocked.
Given a rain delay that stopped play the wherewithal to continue the playoff Sunday was pushed to Monday because of darkness.
Hovland and Scheffler both had birdie putts on the first playoff hole. Hovland converted from seven feet and then inexplicably Scheffler missed from just four feet. Game over. Hovland now back in the winner’s circle.
The final major event in 2026 will take place in just a few weeks at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Hovland’s record in the majors has been a mixed situation. In 25 appearances he has only had five top ten finishes.
The overall 2026 season, prior to the victory at The Travelers, has also not been noteworthy. Hovland had only a top ten finish in his first eleven starts. A third-place finish at the RBC Canadian Open was bracketed with missed cuts at both the PGA Championship and US Open.
Coming into the Travelers event, Hovland’s golf game could hardly be defined as working on all cylinders. He ranked 104th in strokes gained off the tee and 83rd in strokes gained putting. When you can’t find fairways and you can’t sink putts, the overall results are not going to happen.
At TPC River Highlands, Hovland led the field in strokes gained off the tee and was ninth in strokes gained putting.
To his credit, the pairing with Scheffler only served to motivate him. The two had tangled years before during collegiate years — Hovland at Oklahoma State and Scheffler at Texas. In their respective pro careers — Hovland also bested Scheffler with wins in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022 at the Hero World Challenge.
Scheffler has always been impressed by the high-quality ability Hovland possesses in hitting the golf ball solidly time after time.
Although Hovland has had success on the PGA Tour in big moments — the Tour Championship, FedEx Cup and Memorial in 2023 are notable highlights, his inability to secure a first major title has proven elusive to date.
Winning an Open Championship requires the wherewithal to marry aerial and ground skills on a links layout. There is also a bit of luck involved with how one’s tee times are assigned given the vagaries of weather conditions between morning and afternoon time slots.
Hovland’s career has seen spikes — both highs and lows. His golf game has not shown the high-level consistency displayed by some of his key rivals. Nonetheless, winning in Connecticut and the man he beat in doing so has changed the landscape for the Norwegian.
To the victor goes the spoils.
Yes indeed.
Viktor is now hoping the ultimate spoils will come calling with possession of the Claret Jug .
Birkdale now beckons.
Related: Toptracer Adds Royal Birkdale to Virtual Golf Portfolio, Launches Global Challenge Ahead of The 154th Open
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”