Ryder Cup 2023: Norway’s Viktor Hovland – Ray of Sunshine for Team Europe

Viktor Hovland was the third player to be confirmed as a certain part of the European team for the 2023 Ryder Cup. Ranked No. 5 in the official world golf rankings at the time of qualification and thus the third-best European golfer in the world, the Norwegian secured his ticket for the team and enters the tournament as a promising player. He was the first Norwegian ever to make the Ryder Cup team two years ago. To confirm his position on the team, he celebrated victory at the BMW Championship just a few weeks before the 2023 Ryder Cup, and just one week later he also celebrated success at the Tour Championship.

Viktor Hovland at the Ryder Cup 2023

Thanks to his results this season, Viktor Hovland secured his place on Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup via his ranking in the world points rankings. Thanks to his consistent performance – Hovland did not miss a single cut – and the consistent successes he has achieved in recent months, the 25-year-old has now even climbed to fourth place in the world rankings. At the time of qualifying, only two Americans and two Europeans scored more world ranking points: Scottie Scheffler (1), Rory McIlroy (2), Jon Rahm (3) and Patrick Cantlay (4). As the third best European, Hovland thus secured his place in the team after Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

With the good form in which Viktor Hovland has now been presenting himself for a long time, he is entering the 2023 Ryder Cup as a hopeful. Hovland’s numerous top-ranked finishes were crowned not least by his performances at the four majors: he finished in the top-20 at all four tournaments. His worst finish was 19th place at the US Open. He finished the Open Championship in joint 13th place and the Masters in T7. At the PGA Championship, the Norwegian’s first major title was within his grasp – he finished in second place. Nevertheless, he was among the winners this season: At the Memorial Tournament in Muirfield, Hovland claimed his fourth PGA Tour victory in the middle of the year. His second win of the year followed shortly before the end of the season. With a record round and a five-stroke lead, he snatched victory at the BMW Championship, only to go on to win the final tournament of the PGA Tour season a week later.

Looking forward to playing his first Ryder Cup in Europe 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Jx3a7fwIFl

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) August 15, 2023

Viktor Hovland and his Norwegian history at the Ryder Cup

The Norwegian’s Ryder Cup career is still young. Two years ago, he made his debut in Team Europe, when he fought for victory with his teammates at Whistling Straits, but lost the competition handily. Nevertheless, he celebrated a huge success even before the tournament began: Viktor Hovland was and remains to this day the first and only Norwegian player ever to become part of the Ryder Cup team, thus making history.

Alongside Jon Rahm, he was the only player to play in all five sessions for Team Europe; his record was 0-3-2. Three defeats could not be avoided for Hovland and his teammates, but twice the then 24-year-old scored half a point each. Once in his second duel with Tommy Fleetwood against Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay and in the singles match on Sunday. Here he faced Collin Morikawa and would have had to get the full point to avoid the early victory of the opposing team. This year, the European team is looking to reclaim the trophy on home soil.

More Ryder Cup memories to come for Viktor Hovland 💪 pic.twitter.com/eAUTfjYYUi

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) August 15, 2023

Viktor Hovland’s most notable successes

After a promising amateur career, Viktor Hovland turned professional in 2019 and emerged as a high-flyer. In the same year, he set the PGA Tour record for most consecutive rounds in the 60s – in total, he played a score under 70 19 times in a row. Just as he became the first Norwegian to be part of the Ryder Cup, Viktor Hovland is also the first Norwegian to win on both the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) and the PGA Tour. He has now collected a total of seven victories on both tours combined, making him one of the most consistent golfers in Europe. At the Hero World Challenge 2022, Hovland achieved his first title defense on the PGA Tour, equaling Tiger Woods as the only player with two consecutive victories at this event. In his young career, the 25-year-old, who will turn 26 shortly before the 2023 Ryder Cup, has now earned more than 23 million euros in prize money. This does not include the 18 million dollars he won at the Tour Championship.

Ryder Cup 2023: A look inside Viktor Hovland’s bag

Viktor Hovland is also relying on the successful combination of Ping, Titleist and TaylorMade at the Ryder Cup. In addition to the Ping G425 LST driver, he will also be using the Stealth Plus 3-wood in his bag. With a 16.5 degree slope, he gets a bit more spin and height out of the long wood. Completing the “long section” of his golf bag is a driving iron from Titleist. With the U505 3-iron, Hovland can deliver pinpoint tee shots and controllable carry shots. The Ping i210 Players irons complete his iron set, providing spin, accuracy and versatile trajectories. Like teammate Hatton, Hovland reaches for the Ping Glide 4.0 wedge around the greens in Rome. On the short-cut, the Norwegian uses a prototype of the Ping PLD Milled putter in the DS72 variant. He also uses the popular Titleist Pro V1.