Viktor Hovland

Viktor Hovland's Early Life and Background

Viktor Hovland, who hails from Oslo, Norway, is a history-maker in golf. He is the first Norwegian player to win the US Amateur in 2018 and the first from his country to compete in the Masters in 2019.

As a child, Hovland was passionate about soccer and taekwondo. However, he later pursued golf as a career and earned a scholarship to play for the college golf team at Oklahoma State University. His father, Harald, an engineer in the United States, picked up golf and taught Viktor how to play at 11 when he brought golf clubs back to Norway. Hovland continued to practice golf at an indoor driving range for most of the year.

Viktor Hovland's Amateur Golf Career

Viktor Hovland started playing golf when he was eleven years old after his father, Harald, took up the sport while working as an engineer in St. Louis. At 16, Hovland won the Norwegian Amateur Golf Championship in 2014. He played golf for Oklahoma State University from 2016 to 2019 alongside Kristoffer Ventura.

In 2018, Hovland became the first Norwegian player to win the US Amateur championship, which earned him invitations to the 2019 Masters Tournament, the 2019 US Open, and the 2019 Open Championship. He also competed in the 2018 Emirates Australian Open as an amateur, finishing tied for 13th place.

At the 2019 Masters Tournament, Hovland was the low amateur, finishing three under par in a tie for 32nd place. This performance allowed him to climb to the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. In the 2019 US Open, he finished in 12th place and was once again the low amateur, setting a new record for the lowest 72-hole score by an amateur in the US Open, with a score of 280. He became the first player since Matt Kuchar in 1998 to win low amateur honours at both the Masters and US Open in the same season.

In 2019, Hovland was awarded the Ben Hogan Award, given to the best college player in the United States.

Viktor Hovland's Professional Career

Viktor Hovland turned professional after the 2019 US Open and debuted at the Travelers Championship in June. In doing so, he lost his automatic entry into the 2019 Open Championship.

In August of that year, Hovland tied for second in the Albertsons Boise Open, which secured him a PGA Tour card for the 2019–20 season. Hovland set a PGA Tour record for most consecutive rounds in the 60s with 19, lasting into the second round of the CJ Cup in South Korea.

In February 2020, Hovland became the first Norwegian to win on the PGA Tour when he won the Puerto Rico Open. Later that year, in December, he won his second PGA Tour title at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, birdieing the 72nd hole.

In June 2021, Hovland became the first Norwegian to win on the European Tour at the BMW International Open. In September of the same year, he played on the European team in the 2021 Ryder Cup, where he tied his Sunday singles match against Collin Morikawa.

In November 2021, Hovland successfully defended his title at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, setting a tournament record of 23 under par. A month later, he won the Hero World Challenge, finishing at 18 under par, cementing his nickname as the "Resort King" of golf.

In January 2022, Hovland finished in the top 5 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and won the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic the following week. This win lifted him to number three in the Official World Golf Ranking.

In December 2022, Hovland defended his title at the Hero World Challenge, matching Tiger Woods as the only player to win back-to-back events.

In 2023, Hovland contended at The Masters and the PGA Championship but could not secure his first major victory. He finished tied for 7th at The Masters and fell two strokes short of Brooks Koepka at the PGA Championship.

In June, he won the Memorial Tournament, defeating Denny McCarthy in a playoff. Hovland won the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club near Chicago, Illinois, in August and the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup the following week. He became the third-youngest FedEx Cup champion. In September, Hovland played on the European team in the 2023 Ryder Cup and won his Sunday singles match against Collin Morikawa.

Viktor Hovland's Playing Style

Hovland is known for his dynamic playing style that combines power, accuracy, and consistency. He has robust physical strength and impressive clubhead speed, which allows him to drive the ball long and straight, giving him a significant advantage off the tee. Hovland's accuracy extends to his iron play, where he consistently hits greens in regulation, setting himself up for favourable birdie opportunities.

Hovland's ability to score well in tournaments is not only due to his long shots and precise iron play but also his proficiency on the greens. He has solid putting skills and strong ball-striking, making him a formidable opponent. His playing style is characterised by a balanced approach, showcasing a harmonious combination of power and finesse.

Along with his technical skills, Hovland also exhibits mental toughness on the course. He is focused and resilient, able to navigate pressure-filled situations with composure, making sound decisions crucial for success in competitive golf.

Viktor Hovland's Caddie

Australian caddie Shay Knight has been a guiding force behind Viktor Hovland's golf journey. Knight is an experienced caddie who has worked with golfers for about 15 years, including Matt Jones, Aron Price, DJ Trahan, Martin Laird, Chez Reavie, Jerry Kelly, and Sean O'Hair.

Viktor Hovland and Shay Knight's story began in 2019 when Hovland was a newcomer to professional golf. Hovland's college coach initially helped him carry the bag, but he was searching for a permanent caddie. At the Mayakoba Golf Course in Mexico, Hovland met Shay Knight and their partnership began.

Their journey officially began at the 2019 Travelers Championship, where they assessed each other. From the start, Hovland's abilities left a lasting impression on Knight.

Knight praised Hovland's exceptional ability to eliminate one side of the golf course, thanks to his impeccable accuracy off the tee. Beyond technical prowess, he congratulated Hovland's composed mental approach, ability to dissipate frustration, and unwavering calmness quickly.

This partnership has blossomed with each stride of success, with Knight being a steadfast companion who has witnessed Hovland's journey to seven professional victories.

Viktor Hovland's Golf Journey

Viktor Hovland was born on September 18, 1997, in Oslo, Norway, and developed a passion for golf at an early age.

Hovland gained much attention while at Oklahoma State University, where he played for the Cowboys. He won several awards, including the 2018 US Amateur Championship, which earned him a spot in the 2019 Masters Tournament. He impressed everyone with his skills and finished as the low amateur.

In 2019, Hovland turned professional and quickly impacted the PGA Tour. He had an outstanding rookie season, achieving several top-10 finishes and winning the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.

One of the most significant aspects of Hovland's journey is his representation of Norway in international competitions. He has become Norway's top golfer and proudly represents his country worldwide.

Hovland is known for his powerful ball-striking, accuracy, and mental toughness, and he continues to be a rising star in professional golf. His journey inspires aspiring golfers worldwide, showing that hard work, dedication, and talent can lead to a successful career. As Hovland faces the challenges and triumphs of the golfing world, fans eagerly anticipate the following chapters in his compelling story.

Viktor Hovland's Majors

Viktor Hovland's Net Worth

Viktor Hovland is a professional golfer with an estimated net worth of $17 million as of 2024. He has earned over $50 million in just a few years since turning pro in 2019. One of his most impressive accomplishments was winning the Tour Championship in 2023, which earned him a whopping $18 million in prize money. This victory significantly boosted his net worth and annual salary. Hovland's primary sources of income are his golf winnings and endorsement deals.

Based on his total career earnings, Hovland's average annual salary is estimated at $13.4 million. His entire career earnings amount to $53,769,779, which includes $26,689,779 from official tournaments, $2,267,500 from unofficial tournaments, and $2,000,000 from the Player Index Program.

Hovland earned $34.6 million in 2023. He achieved some notable accomplishments that year, such as tying for third place at the Players Championship with a score of -10, which earned him $1,475,000. He also earned $1,540,000 for second place at the PGA Championship with a score of -7.

Viktor Hovland's Ventures

Hovland has signed endorsement deals with several brands, including Cisco, PING, and J. Lindeberg, a clothing brand. Additionally, he is said to be the brand ambassador for Lexus, though the exact amount he earns from these endorsements is unknown.

Viktor Hovland's Assets

No information is available regarding Hovland’s Assets.

Viktor Hovland's Family

Viktor Hovland's parents are Harald and Galina Hovland. Unfortunately, not much information about his mother, including her profession, is available. On the other hand, Harald Hovland was an engineer who frequently travelled to the United States for work. He is also a former professional golfer who helped his son get started in the game.

Viktor Hovland's Girlfriend

Hovland has been dating Kristin Sorsdal, his girlfriend from Norway, since 2019. Sorsdal has always been supportive of him both on and off the course. She is an avid social media user and frequently posts pictures of her travels and adventures with Hovland. Kristin Sorsdal is a keen traveller who shares her adventures and helpful fashion and beauty tips on her Instagram page. However, there is currently limited information available about her.

Viktor Hovland's Cars

Viktor Hovland keeps his car collection private, but sources indicate he owns various luxury cars, such as BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus models.