When Devon Bling’s putt sailed past the hole on the par-4 13th at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Viktor Hovland became conscious of the historical magnitude of the moment. He had become the first Norweigan golfer to claim the United States Amateur Golf Championship, a feat that was once thought to be impossible. He had never trailed once in the Championship match against Devon Bling, securing the title in a 6 & 5 victory.
“You always dream, and I knew that when I’m on my game I can win, but I wasn’t going into the week with a lot of confidence,” Hovland stated after his match.
Hovland Brings Success to Norway Golf
Born in Oslo, Norway, happy-go-lucky Hovland knew golf was his love and passion at a young age. In a country populated by athletes successful in winter sports like speed skating or ice hockey, the young golfer knew he needed to come to play in America if he was going to have promise in the sport. The only Norweigan golfer to have prominence was Suzann Petersen, who won two major championships on the LPGA Tour.
Viktor currently attends Oklahoma State University. Arriving in the United States, Hovland would watch movies in order to learn English, slowly becoming immersed into the American culture and passion for sports. But what would impress OSU coach Alan Bratton is Hovland’s explosive game. His powerful rotation enables Viktor to drive the ball a very long distance, setting up easier approach shots to the green.
His aggressive style of play got the young Amateur his first victory this year outside Norway at the Valspar Collegiate. Competing in the NCAA Golf Championship representing the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Hovland went 3-0, giving the school an NCAA Division I Title.
“He just got better every day,” said Bratton. “He didn’t putt very well in the stroke-play portion, but starting with match play he just built momentum each day. When he had to play his best friend from Norway, Chris Reitan, in the third round, we were going down the ninth hole and he told me he never felt calmer on a golf course [a 7-and-6 win]. After that, he never looked back.”
Hovland’s Win Brings Exemptions and Expectations
Heading into this week, Hovland was the fifth-ranked Amateur in the world. He would only trail once in six matches, totaling 104 holes of golf. He would become the second Norwegian to win a USGA Championship, the first being Arne Dokka at the 1965 U.S. Amateur Public Links.
Hovland’s victory gives rise to a plethora of competitive opportunities for the young Amateur. Next year, he receives exemptions to play in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. In addition, he will likely receive the coveted Amateur invitation to The Masters, meaning he would be the first player from Norway to compete at Augusta. When he hoisted the Havemeyer Trophy, it was clear the moment was exceptional to Viktor.
“I always thought I had a pretty good vocabulary, but I’m lost for words,” said Hovland. “It’s really special. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve only won once before, and to win the U.S. Amateur as my second win is really cool. I hope it’s the start of something great.”
If there was a moment that demonstrated Hovland’s poise and calmness under the immense pressure of winning an Amateur Championship, it was on the 18th hole during the first leg of the 36-hole Championship Final. After an errant tee shot left, Viktor’s golf ball ended up in the hazard. After a penalty drop, his approach to the green landed in the greenside bunker.
Bling had opportunities to convert and put the pressure on heading into the second 18. But it was Hovland who made the clutch shots, converting an up and down by sinking a crucial par putt. Hovland would enter the second half of the championship match four strokes ahead of Bling and he would never give up the lead.
“Making that putt, it almost felt like a win because I didn’t really hit a single good shot on that hole,” Hovland stated. “Yeah, that felt good and was big.”
With a victory of this grandeur, the expectations will certainly attach themselves to Hovland’s name. But Coach Bratton is confident in the young golfer’s ability to have a successful career.
“I’m not surprised at all. I definitely felt like he could win this championship,” Bratton said. “Look at the year he had for us and how well he played in the British Amateur and the European Amateur. He’s the No. 5 amateur in the world. He’s a very solid, consistent player, and he showed that this week.”
It was a monster performance meant for a stellar champion. And Hovland is ready for the challenges ahead.
