History of Viktor Hovland in Timeline

Viktor Hovland is a Norwegian professional golfer prominent on the PGA and European Tours. His amateur career culminated in winning the 2018 U.S. Amateur, propelling him to the number one position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in 2019. He's known for his impressive ball-striking and has quickly become a rising star in the world of professional golf.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1960: Jack Nicklaus set U.S. Open amateur record

In 1960, Jack Nicklaus set the U.S. Open 72-hole score record for an amateur with a score of 282; a record that stood until Viktor Hovland broke it in 2019.

1998: Matt Kuchar won low amateur honors at both the Masters and U.S. Open

In 1998, Matt Kuchar won low amateur honors at both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same season. Viktor Hovland would later match this achievement in 2019.

2014: Won Norwegian Amateur Golf Championship

In 2014, at the age of 16, Viktor Hovland won the Norwegian Amateur Golf Championship.

2016: Played college golf at Oklahoma State University

In 2016, Viktor Hovland began playing college golf at Oklahoma State University, alongside Kristoffer Ventura.

2018: Won U.S. Amateur

In 2018, Viktor Hovland became the first Norwegian player to win the U.S. Amateur, earning invitations to the 2019 Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, and Open Championship.

2019: Turned professional after the 2019 U.S. Open

Following the 2019 U.S. Open, Viktor Hovland turned professional, making his professional debut at the Travelers Championship in June, thus forfeiting his automatic entry to the 2019 Open Championship.

2019: Reached number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking

In 2019, Viktor Hovland achieved the number one position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, highlighting his success as an amateur golfer.

2019: Played college golf at Oklahoma State University

In 2019, Viktor Hovland was still playing college golf at Oklahoma State University, alongside Kristoffer Ventura.

2019: Low amateur in the 2019 Masters Tournament and U.S. Open

In 2019, Viktor Hovland was the low amateur in the Masters Tournament, finishing three under par and tying for 32nd place. He also achieved low amateur honors at the U.S. Open, finishing in 12th place with a score of 280. He received the Ben Hogan Award as well.

2019: Earned invitations into major tournaments

In 2019, as a result of winning the 2018 U.S. Amateur, Viktor Hovland received invitations to the 2019 Masters Tournament, the 2019 U.S. Open, and the 2019 Open Championship.

2019: Finished tied for second in Albertsons Boise Open

In August 2019, Viktor Hovland finished tied for second in the Albertsons Boise Open, which is part of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. This finish secured him a PGA Tour card for the 2019-20 season. Hovland also set a PGA Tour record for most consecutive rounds in the 60s with 19.

2020: First Norwegian to win on PGA Tour

In 2020, Viktor Hovland became the first Norwegian golfer to win on the PGA Tour, achieving this milestone at the Puerto Rico Open.

2020: Results not in chronological order

The results for Viktor Hovland in 2020 are noted to not be listed in chronological order.

2021: First Norwegian to win on European Tour

In 2021, Viktor Hovland became the first Norwegian to win on the European Tour at the BMW International Open.

2021: Played in the 2021 Ryder Cup

In September 2021, Viktor Hovland played on the European team in the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, becoming the first Norwegian Ryder Cup member. The U.S. team won, and Hovland's record was 0-3-2, tying his Sunday singles match against Collin Morikawa.

December 2022: Defended title at Hero World Challenge

In December 2022, Viktor Hovland successfully defended his title at the Hero World Challenge at Albany in the Bahamas, matching Tiger Woods as the only player with back-to-back wins in the event.

2022: Discontinuation of Championship and Invitational

In 2022, it is noted that the Championship and Invitational tournaments were discontinued.

September 2023: Played in the 2023 Ryder Cup

In September 2023, Viktor Hovland played on the European team in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia, Rome, Italy. The European team won, with Hovland going 3-1-1, including a win in his Sunday singles match. He and Ludvig Åberg also set a new record for the largest winning margin in an 18-hole Ryder Cup match, winning 9 and 7.

2023: Won the 2023 Tour Championship

In 2023, Viktor Hovland won the Tour Championship, also securing his first FedEx Cup victory.

2023: Discontinuation of Champions

In 2023, it is noted that the Champions tournament was discontinued.

2023: Won BMW Championship and Tour Championship, won FedEx Cup

In August 2023, Viktor Hovland shot a final round course-record 61 to win the BMW Championship. The following week, he won the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup, becoming the third-youngest FedEx Cup champion.