Viktor Hovland’s first occasion for the reason that PGA Championship is off to a powerful begin.
He fired off a 3-under 69 Thursday at The Memorial Match, the occasion he gained a season in the past.
However Hovland remained in competition due to an outstanding par-save on the par-3 twelfth, which proved to be one of the important moments of the day. It saved his momentum alive as he added his closing two birdies at 13 and 14.
Hovland hit it into a difficult spot within the entrance proper bunker off the tee. He confronted a ‘fried egg’ for his second shot, as he did not get his ball out of the entice. However he went on to gap out for par on his subsequent try. Even the younger Norweigan couldn’t imagine the ball went into the opening.
“That simply may have been a double bogey,” Hovland mentioned.
“That’s how this golf course is. You possibly can miss it in some unhealthy spots, and also you’re going to get punished, however right this moment, I used to be in a position to, for essentially the most half, miss it on the proper sides.”
Hovland made one eagle, three birdies, and two bogeys on the day. He hit 9-of-14 fairways and 10-of-18 greens in regulation. The 26-year-old was on injury management all through his spherical however nonetheless completed underneath par.
“There have been spots that had been lower than best, however I managed to get out of there fairly properly,” he mentioned.
“You may be simply off the inexperienced and make doubles and triples round right here for those who’re not cautious. You don’t calm down an excessive amount of on the market. It’s a tense place to play.”
The previous Oklahoma State Cowboy has struggled this season. His first prime 10 of the yr got here at Valhalla.
His greatest weaknesses this yr have been his iron play and brief recreation. On the season, he’s 174th in strokes gained across the greens, dropping -0570 photographs, and 59th in strokes gained tee-to-green.
And but, Thursday’s spherical marked his sixth straight spherical of 69 or higher. Hovland returned to swing coach Joe Mayo forward of the PGA Championship, and his recreation appeared to have improved instantly.
“I really feel like the sport has been fairly good in observe,” Hovland mentioned. “It’s nonetheless not fairly precisely how I would like it to be but, nevertheless it’s adequate to compete, and I really feel like I’m taking part in some good golf, so simply bought to maintain at it and hopefully it retains getting higher and higher.”
Thursday generally is a essential day on the course, particularly at a match like The Memorial. A participant can’t win on day one, however they will actually lose. Hovland sits three photographs off the present leaders on a course he should stay affected person on if he desires to defend his title.
“I suppose taking pictures underneath par round this place, you’re by no means that far out,” he mentioned. “A variety of issues can occur. With the again 9, the leaders can simply fall again. Should you’re taking part in properly, you’ll be able to shoot up and make up lots of floor. However clearly, you wish to be on prime of the leaderboard from the beginning.”
Hovland will start spherical two at 1:30 p.m. ET alongside Xander Schauffele as he seems to be to remain in competition and earn his seventh PGA Tour victory.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. For extra golf protection, make sure to observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can too observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
