The first Norwegian to win on the PGA Tour, and the winner of the 2023 FedEx Cup and the 2026 Travelers Championship, Viktor Hovland is one of the best ball-strikers in the world.
Who is Viktor Hovland?
Viktor Hovland is a Norwegian professional golfer, born on September 18, 1997, in Oslo. He went to study in the United States at Oklahoma State University and, in 2018, became the first Norwegian to win the U.S. Amateur. Ranked No. 1 in the world among amateurs in 2019, he turned pro immediately after the U.S. Open that same year.
He’s racking up firsts: the first Norwegian to win on the PGA Tour (2020 Puerto Rico Open), on the DP World Tour (2021 BMW International Open), and the first Norwegian selected for the Ryder Cup (2021). His 2023 season was his best yet: the Memorial, the BMW Championship, the Tour Championship, and the FedEx Cup. In 2026, he won the Travelers Championship in a playoff against Scottie Scheffler—his eighth victory on the PGA Tour—and then finished second at the Tour Championship.
Viktor Hovland's Career Highlights
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| PGA Tour Victories | 8 (including the 2026 Travelers Championship) |
| FedEx Cup | 2023 Champion |
| Tour Championship | Winner in 2023, 2nd place in 2026 |
| Memorial Tournament | 2023 Champion |
| BMW Championship | 2023 Champion |
| Wins on the DP World Tour | 2 (2021 BMW International Open, 2022 Dubai Desert Classic) |
| Hero World Challenge | Winner in 2021 and 2022 |
| Best Results in Major Tournaments | Tied for 2nd place at the 2023 PGA Championship, 3rd place at the 2025 U.S. Open |
| Ryder Cup | 3 appearances: 2021, 2023 (win), 2025 (win) |
| U.S. Amateur | 2018 champion, the first Norwegian |
Viktor Hovland's Game
Viktor Hovland is, first and foremost, an exceptional ball-striker. His swing is powerful and very consistent, with a full torso rotation, arms that stay in front of his body, and a clubface that remains almost closed at the top of the backswing. What makes his videos so fascinating is his curiosity: an engineer at heart, he loves to understand the reasoning behind every movement, talks about ball physics, trajectories, and data, and then explains it all in simple terms.
Viktor Hovland's driver
When it comes to the driver, Viktor Hovland focuses above all on consistency. He explains how he keeps the club in front of him, how he uses the ground to generate speed, and why he prefers a controlled trajectory over a few extra meters. This is a very useful approach for amateurs who tend to hit their balls to the right.
Viktor Hovland's Short Game
For a long time, his short game was his weak point. He acknowledged this and worked on it extensively, particularly with short game coach Joe Mayo and with PING, his brand, as part of the “Short Game Science” series. Managing wedge bounce, body position, and speed control on putting: his progress shows that players at any level can improve their play around the greens.
Viktor Hovland's Mindset
Always smiling, Viktor Hovland has a very healthy attitude toward mistakes. He analyzes, makes adjustments, and gets back on track. The way he talks about his technical doubts—without overreacting—is a great lesson in mental toughness for all golfers. His resurgence in 2026—with a win at the Travelers and then a second-place finish at the Tour Championship—shows that this patient work eventually pays off.
Viktor Hovland's Lessons on Best Golf Tips
Here’s what’s in store in the Viktor Hovland lessons we’re preparing: a detailed breakdown of his driver swing, including clubface position at the top of the backswing and how he uses the ground; his driving range clinic at the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic, where he shares his tips for effectively compressing the ball; his advice for an amateur on how to perform a bunker shot without fear; and a pre-shot routine to gain power and stability. The very short episodes of PING’s “Short Game Science” series will complement these lessons. Each video will be summarized, highlighting key points, common mistakes, and a simple exercise to try at home.
Viktor Hovland's lessons selected for Best Golf Tips will soon be summarized, along with the original video. In the meantime, explore the areas where he excels: driving, the swing and the swing plane, speed, power, and distance, the bunker shot and wedge play, pitching, and chipping.
He beat Scottie Scheffler in the playoffs at the 2026 Travelers Championship and competes in the Ryder Cup alongside Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood: You can also find their profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Viktor Hovland
How old is Viktor Hovland?
Viktor Hovland was born on September 18, 1997, in Oslo, Norway. As of November 3, 2026, he is 29 years old.
How many tournaments has Viktor Hovland won on the PGA Tour?
Eight, including the Memorial, the BMW Championship, and the Tour Championship in 2023; the Valspar Championship in 2025; and the Travelers Championship in 2026.
Did Viktor Hovland win the FedEx Cup?
Yes, in 2023, thanks to his victory at the Tour Championship at East Lake.
Has Viktor Hovland won a major tournament?
Not yet. His best finishes are a tie for second place at the 2023 PGA Championship and a third-place finish at the 2025 U.S. Open.
How many Ryder Cups has Viktor Hovland played in?
Three, with Europe: 2021, then 2023 and 2025—two of which were won by Europe.
What is Viktor Hovland's “Short Game Science” series?
A series of short videos produced by PING, in which Viktor Hovland explains how he plays certain shots around the greens: a 35-yard pitch, a flop shot, a ball buried in a bunker, and his pre-shot routine and putting speed.
