Viktor Hovland is gearing up for the 107th PGA Championship with a strong sense of confidence, thanks to a string of solid performances this spring. Highlighted by a victory at the Valspar Championship in March, Hovland has shown his capabilities despite a recent setback, where he finished T54 at the Truist Championship. His momentum continued with a T21 finish at the Masters and a T13 at the RBC Heritage in mid-April, indicating that he is on the right track.
During a recent press conference, Hovland expressed satisfaction with his improvements, stating, “What I’m happy about is the progress that I’ve made since right before the Valspar… I think I’m definitely trending in the right direction.” However, he also admitted that there are areas in his game that still need refining to reach the performance level he aspires to.
Hovland has a history of being hard on himself, a trait he acknowledged during last year’s PGA Championship, where he almost withdrew due to frustration but ultimately secured a third-place finish. He is learning to manage his expectations better, which he describes as an ongoing journey. “I don’t doubt my abilities to get the ball in the hole,” he assured.
At only 27, Hovland has made significant strides in major championships although he’s had his challenges. He finished T-2 at the PGA Championship two years ago and third at last year’s event at Valhalla, just three shots off the lead. Reflecting on the experience, he sees his ability to compete for a major title despite feeling out of sorts with his game as a positive sign of his potential.
His recent experiences have also equipped him with maturity, which he believes enhances his performance in significant tournaments. “I’m a lot more mature, I’m a lot more experienced, and I have more tools in my arsenal now to compete at these big events,” he noted.
Hovland’s journey through major championships has been accompanied by valuable learning moments, such as his T41 finish at Southern Hills in 2022, where he confronted the challenges of staying patient rather than pushing too aggressively for birdies. He later showcased his growth with a T4 finish at The Open Championship.
As he arrives at Quail Hollow, Hovland recognizes the significance of distance and strong driving to navigate the course effectively, emphasizing the need for precise play on its notoriously challenging final three holes known as the Green Mile.
Hovland will begin his pursuit of a major title on Thursday at 1:47 p.m., armed with experience and determination to improve upon his previous performances.
This forward-looking approach combined with his growing skill set positions him as a strong contender as he heads to the course this week, highlighting the excitement and anticipation surrounding his potential success at the PGA Championship.