Norway’s Viktor Hovland finally found a solid rhythm for the first time in a month, and it paid off at the Valspar Championship.
Hovland notched birdies on three of his final five holes to shoot 4-under-par 67 and win the tournament Sunday at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Hovland, who missed the cut in his previous three tournaments, finished at 11-under 273 for a one-stroke victory over Justin Thomas.
“It’s still the same swing,” Hovland said. “I hit a lot of disgusting shots, but they happened to go where I look … Somehow this week I was able to hit the good shots that I can a lot more often than I have been in recent weeks.”
Hovland, 27, now has seven career victories. This is his first title since the 2023 Tour Championship, which capped a string of three victories in a three-month stretch.
Still, he wasn’t full of confidence when the tournament began.
“I honestly didn’t believe I could do it this week,” Hovland said.
Even with some hiccups along the way, there was an uptick of incentive as he reached the back nine on Sunday in the mix on a crowded leaderboard.
Hovland had been three strokes off the pace on the back side before he heated up and Thomas fell off.
“There was a bunch of guys tied at the end of my front nine,” Hovland said. “I heard some noise ahead and I knew he was probably up in front. … I knew I had to make some birdies coming in.”
Thomas had his second consecutive sterling round, but his 66 was marred by bogeys on Nos. 16 and 18. Those followed a five-hole stretch with four birdies.
“Way, way more good than bad,” Thomas said. “Today was awesome. I felt so comfortable. I felt like the only nervy swing I truly felt was the wedge on 16.”
Jacob Bridgeman, who led at the tournament’s midway mark, posted 69 and was third at 9 under.
Bud Cauley (66), Billy Horschel (67) and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune (68) tied for fourth place at 8 under. Davis Riley (69) was seventh at 7 under.
Hovland got things rolling late with a 13-foot birdie putt on No. 14 before birdies on two of the next three holes. His bogey on the final hole wasn’t a problem because Thomas had already finished his round.
“Even when (Thomas) was three shots ahead, I still felt really calm and I really wasn’t stressing even though I probably knew I had to make my putt on 14,” Hovland said. “When that went in, I still felt really, really calm there.”
It marked the second 67 of the tournament for Hovland, who also posted that number in Friday’s second round.
Thomas wasn’t discouraged despite missing an opportunity for another victory.
“It sucks not winning when you’re that close and have a great chance,” Thomas said, “but I just hopefully put myself in the same position in two weeks at Augusta and finish it off better.”
–Field Level Media
