Viktor Hovland

 

Masters 2023: Viktor Hovland's 65 display was as audacious as his garish shirt

GAULTHERS, GA — While playing in Tiger Woods' group at Augusta National, it can be challenging to divert attention from him. You need to be a terrific golfer or sport a loud attire that goes viral on social media.

Viktor Hovland performed both actions at the 87th Masters on Thursday.

The well-liked Norwegian shot a scorching 65 while playing in Woods' group, who has won the Masters five times. He combined an eagle and five birdies. The World No. 9 shot his lowest round ever at Augusta National, sharing the first-round lead with Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka at seven under par. Hovland slipped from a 54-hole co-lead to a tie for fourth in the Open Championship, the penultimate major of the previous season.

Hovland also donned a J.Lindeberg shirt that severely clashed the Masters green and azalea colours together, earning the excellent Twitter description "hibiscus pia colada" from a seasoned golf writer.

Hovland, 25, laughed as he described his shirt, "It's definitely a little bit out there." "I played no part in it. I simply wear what they instruct me to. However, I believe that these are preferable than the pink trousers I had [in the first round] the previous year. Therefore, we are progressing.

Wearing that jersey in the same group as Woods, who finished up shooting 74, was a gamble. Xander Schauffle, the third player, scored 68 points.

Hovland made eagle with a 200-yard 6-iron to the No. 2 green early in the round. He hit a brilliant pitch from a challenging position above the bunker at hole number 10 to save par amid all of his birdies. At the 18th hole, Hovland "got a little bit cute" and chose the riskier option of aiming it right and letting the slope take it down towards the pin. This shot was nearly impossible from the greenside bunker. He saved par when it settled closely.

The three-time PGA Tour champion admitted that he "likes to gamble a little bit." "You have to try things out somewhere, but you definitely shouldn't find out and see whether you can hit that shot at the Masters [laughs]. Today I worked hard so that's enjoyable. of those shots off. It merely boosts my confidence more and more.

Hovland has consistently performed well while close to Woods. The Oklahoma State standout has won Woods' Hero World Challenge twice in the Bahamas while still a low amateur (T32) when Woods won his sixth Masters in 2019. Hovland replied, "Yeah, I don't know what it is. "It's awesome to be with him alone. He clearly spent a great deal of time watching him as a child and has had a significant impact on the game of golf. And today was a particularly wonderful day since I got to play with him for the first time.

However, Hovland had never participated in a tournament round with the 15-time major champion. Despite the promises from his caddy, seasoned looper Shay Knight, he was naturally anxious.

At Augusta, this is the best area to play with Tiger because the crowds are lot more under control and not as distracting, according to Knight. "Today was so much fun. Hovvy's performance with Tiger merely goes to illustrate how talented he is on a global scale.

Shay told me on the practise area [Wednesday] since I wasn't checking my phone, and when he said we were matched with Tiger, my heart kind of went a little higher in my throat', Hovland continued. "I eventually calmed down after that." and declared, "This is going to be a lot of fun." You simply need to accept it.

Hovland will also accept the unfavourable weather predictions for the rest of the week. The second round of play on Friday is predicted to be rained off, and conditions for Saturday look bleak with temperatures in the 40s and 50s and heavy rain.

For Hovland, who was raised in Oslo, the conditions will be nothing new. He played in harsher circumstances when in Norway in the latter part of 2022.

"The few weeks I've had at home in the past two months, I would say, have been really cold. I played in three or four layers in 30-degree weather with a 30 [mph] wind," he added. "I've had plenty of experience under those circumstances. But it will be interesting to see how that goes since I haven't played Augusta National in that kind of weather.

Over the next three days at Augusta, Hovland's attire will presumably be just as fascinating.