"You've just got to embrace it" - Viktor Hovland says ‘you can't be scared’ while playing with Tiger Woods at the Masters

Viktor Hovland got off to a great start at the 2023 Masters. Having teed off with his hero Tiger Woods, the Norwegian golfer played a strong 65 to take an early lead at the Augusta National. Following the round, the golfer came out to reveal that he wasn’t scared at all to play alongside the legendary golfer.

Unlike many players who suffered while playing in Woods’ presence, Hovland thrived on Thursday. In fact, the 25-year-old enjoyed the company of the 15-time Major winner. Replying to queries on the pressure of playing with the five-time Masters champion, Hovland said that golfers must “embrace it.”

Speaking to the media about playing with Tiger Woods at the Masters, Viktor Hovland said, as quoted by Golfweek:

"You've just got to embrace it. You can't be scared or anything like that. If you want to win this tournament, you can't be scared about playing with Tiger. So, you've just got to overcome things like that.”

He added:

"Obviously it's really cool to just be around him. He's been such a huge influence to the game of golf, and obviously watched him hours growing up. And to get to play with him for the first time today was very special, and especially to play this round, as well."

It is pertinent to note that Woods was visibly struggling on Day 1 of the Masters. The ace golfer even admitted that he was playing through the pain. However, both Hovland and Xander Schauffele were by his side, entertaining Woods, who got off to a disappointing start.

Hovland further said:

"It was very fun today. Got off to a nice start, obviously making eagle on number two and just kept hitting great shots on the front nine and made some putts, and before I knew it, somehow, I was six under through 11. So that was awesome."

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Viktor Hovland looks to replicate The Open run at the Masters

It is also noteworthy that Viktor Hovland stole the show from the rest of the field on Day 1 with his outfit. The golfer wore a ‘spectacular’ red shirt that was lauded by fans at Augusta. Apart from his stunning look, the 25-year-old also played a strong round. The golfer is now hoping that his opening 65 will work as a foundation for his Major run.

Looking back at his fourth-place finish at last year’s British Open, the golfer said that he is confident of a similar performance this week.

Hovland said:

"I really had not played all that great leading up to The Open. And I made a lot of putts the first three rounds. I felt great, and I actually was very calm on that Sunday. I just didn't quite get anything going. The putts that I made earlier in the week, I just didn't make the putts. And then you let the other guys get a head start and it's just hard to catch them.”

He added:

"It's just one of those days where I didn't quite have it. It wasn't like a mental error. But I feel like my skill set is a lot better right now, and I think I would have wanted to play that Sunday again, this week, for example. That would have been a lot of fun."

Hovland currently sits in T1 with Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm. It’ll be interesting to see if the golfers hold the position after Masters Day 2.