Viktor Hovland Eyes Improvement After Solid Valspar Round

PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Viktor Hovland demonstrated resilience at the Valspar Championship on March 21, 2025, tying for second after a strong second-round score of 67 but feeling he still has room for improvement.

The Norwegian golfer’s round featured five birdies and only one bogey, culminating in a five-under-par total. This performance marked his first cut made in a tournament this season, enhancing his chances for the weekend.

“Not to put myself down, but for it to be sustainable at that level I need to strike it a bit better and it needs to be a bit more predictable,” Hovland said in a post-round interview.

Despite his pleasing tally, Hovland expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, drawing attention to the cruel and unpredictable nature of golf. This year’s journey has been tumultuous, including recovering from a broken toe and undergoing coaching changes, which resulted in missed cuts prior to the Valspar.

Hovland remarked, “You have an ability that you can almost sometimes take for granted… When it starts to not do that, it’s pretty frustrating. It becomes infinitely more challenging — and it’s already really challenging.” His frankness about his current form reveals his continuous drive for excellence.

Throughout the last year, Hovland has felt the pressure of maintaining his game’s integrity. The 27-year-old Ryder Cup star previously dazzled the golfing community with victories at the 2023 Tour Championship, BMW Championship, and Memorial. However, fluctuating results saw him drop from No. 3 to No. 19 in world rankings.

“It’s tricky because you can’t really rely on your feels anymore; you have to reverse engineer things a little bit and start from scratch,” Hovland noted regarding his process to regain control over his swing mechanics.

As he approaches the weekend at the Valspar, Hovland emphasizes the importance of developing a consistent and sustainable swing. “At the end of the day, it’s awesome being at the top of the leaderboard… but I truly just care about the things that I’m working on,” he said.

Golf, known for its ups and downs, continues to challenge even the best players. Hovland’s commitment to self-improvement positions him as a player to watch moving forward.