Can Hovland dominate the Ryder Cup?

Viktor Hovland is in prime form ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup after notching two brilliant victories on the PGA Tour. The Norwegian took his tally to six triumphs on the PGA Tour with successive victories at the BMW Championship and Tour Championship.

Although success at the four majors evaded Hovland, Luke Donald will be looking to the 25-year-old to be his ace in the hole under the spotlight of the Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club as Europe look to regain the trophy and preserve their unbeaten record on the continent dating back to 1993.

Despite their imperious record on home soil, Europe are considered the underdogs in the betting odds for golf for the competition behind the United States. The States are blessed with a raft of talented players, who have both the quality and experience to put Europe to the sword, but home advantage could play its part along with Europe’s best operating at the peak of their powers, none more so than the in-form Hovland.

Learning

Hovland endured a Ryder Cup to forget in his first experience of the tournament in 2021. His performance was emblematic of Europe’s as he failed to win any of his five matches. Captain Padraig Harrington showed faith in the rookie to offer him all five games, partnering up with Tommy Fleetwood twice along with Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger.

But out of those four games, Hovland gained only half a point with Fleetwood in their clash with Patrick Cantlay and Justin Thomas. He earned the second of his half points against Collin Morikawa in the singles on the final day. Hovland was powerless as Europe surrendered the crown without a fight, suffering a 19-9 hammering at the hands of the USA.

Hovland is a much better player than he was two years ago, and will surely have learned a great deal from his experience in the hostile environment of an overseas Ryder Cup. The 25-year-old now has the chance to lead from the front and he will undoubtedly be trusted with another five games to prove his worth in an inexperienced European line-up.

Taking Charge

Hovland has been in incredible form in 2023, narrowly missing out on his first major win at the PGA Championship as he finished tied-second behind Brooks Koepka by a stroke. He finished in at least the top 20 at all four majors, which bodes well for the Ryder Cup. The 25-year-old saved his best performances on the PGA Tour towards the end of the season, beating out Scottie Scheffler at the BMW Championship before dominating the Tour Championship, finishing five strokes ahead of Xander Schauffele.

Donald will be desperate for the Norwegian to maintain that standard for the Ryder Cup, especially the way he crushed his American opponents. The last two Ryder Cups have been defined by the form of two players. In 2018, Francesco Molinari was nothing short of sensational to win five points out of five from his matches, sharing a special partnership with Fleetwood. However, Dustin Johnson answered in turn in 2021 to also claim maximum points in the States’ commanding win.

A lot will hinge on the partnerships that Hovland strikes up in the tournament. Donald may wish to spread out his inexperience so a dream team between himself and Jon Rahm or Rory McIlroy may not be in the offing. But, he will have the opportunity to put a stamp on the Ryder Cup and it could be the confidence builder that could prompt a surge at the majors in 2024.