Hovland wins first PGA title since 2023 at Valspar Championship

Viktor Hovland finished one shot ahead in the final round of the Valspar Championship on Sunday to claim his first PGA Tour victory since 2023. The Norwegian golfer carded a 4-under-par 67, finishing at 11-under 273 to edge out Justin Thomas by a single stroke. 

Hovland’s victory was sealed by a series of clutch birdies on the back nine, including a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole that gave him the lead. Runner-up Justin Thomas, who led by three shots with five holes remaining, faltered late with bogeys on two of his final three holes, allowing Hovland to take advantage and seal  his seventh career PGA Tour title.

Starting the day tied for the lead, Hovland found himself three shots behind Thomas after the 13th hole. But he executed an impressive comeback with birdies on holes 14, 16, and 17 to break the tie. His approach shot on the par-4 16th yielded results, as it tied him with Thomas for the lead. Moments later, his birdie on the 17th gave him a one-shot advantage heading into the final hole.

Thomas struggled under pressure, hitting his drive into the trees on the par-4 16th and settling for bogey after failing to recover effectively. On the 18th hole, another errant drive into deep rough resulted in another bogey, leaving him with a final-round score of 66 and second place at 10-under. Jacob Bridgeman finished third after narrowly missing a playoff opportunity with a par on the last hole.

Hovland’s win was beyond satisfying, given his struggles leading up to the tournament. Ranked as high as number three in the world in 2023, he had fallen to 19 after enduring a disappointing 2024 season and missing three consecutive cuts earlier this year.

His last made cut against a full field was at the Scottish Open in mid-2024. Despite considering skipping the Valspar Championship due to ongoing swing issues, Hovland found his rhythm when it mattered most. His triumph moves him back into the world’s top ten rankings.