Viktor Hovland, the 25-year-old Norwegian professional golfer, has been honing his short game ahead of the 2023 Masters Golf Tournament. Hovland admitted that his chipping was a major weakness in his game and had previously struggled with it despite winning six professional victories after winning the Puerto Rico Open. However, Hovland has diagnosed the root of his chipping problem and improved it significantly during the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season.
Ditching Comfortable Elements of His Full Swing
Hovland had to ditch the comfortable elements of his full swing around the greens in order to excel in chipping. It was not an easy process for him, but he gradually achieved progress and now feels much more confident around the greens. Short-sided shots are no longer a problem for him as he has drastically improved his ranks from 99th to 29th in scrambling and 150th to 24th in sand save percentage for the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season.
Struggle with Putting
In addition to chipping, putting has also been a challenge for Hovland. He admits that his head was scrambled on the greens, but he is working hard to improve this aspect of his game too. Despite these obstacles, Hovland’s upward trend is there as he looks ahead to a Thursday tee time at Augusta National.
Viktor Hovland’s Masters Odds and History for 2023 Event
The Masters is the most prestigious golf event that can solidify a golfer’s legacy. Hovland has never posted a top20 finish at Augusta and it will be interesting to see how he performs this year with +3900 odds to win The Masters on FanDuel Sportsbook. This puts him as No. 18 in the field, just ahead of four golfers with +4600 odds. Hovland has been consistent in his quest for a green jacket, posting a Round 1 score in the low 70s in each of his three Masters appearances. However, he has never kept that positive momentum going in Round 2, falling away from the leaders and finishing outside the top 20.
Hovland has posted a top-20 finish at four of his last five PGA Tour events and tied for 3rd at The Players Championship in March. He has a high level of reliability, ranking eighth in Stroke Gained (SG): Off the Tee, 15th in SG: Tee to Green, and 17th in SG: Total. With these statistics, Hovland could be a force to be reckoned with at the Masters tournament.
Viktor Hovland’s Bold Fashion Choice During the Masters Golf Tournament
Apart from his excellent skills on the greens, Hovland’s fashion choice is also making news. He is wearing outfits inspired by the 13th hole “Azalea” of Augusta National golf course designed by J. Lindberg. The outfits feature bold, eye-catching prints with a signature KV Golf Polo shirt that costs $115 plus shipping.
Hovland’s fashion choice is being scrutinized by golf enthusiasts and commentators alike. Although Hovland has not won any major tournament yet, he has one top-ten finish and finished tied for fourth in The Open last year. He also got off to a good start in the tournament, making an eagle on the second hole to tie for the lead.
This article suggests that Hovland’s bold fashion choice might help turn his major fortunes around if he continues to put up great performances on the greens. Whether or not he masters Augusta National remains to be seen, but Hovland’s improving skills and bold fashion statement make him one to watch in the future of golf.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
