Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the 13th tee during the first round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 13, 2023 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Viktor Hovland had a respectable week in Augusta, tying for seventh in his fourth appearance at the Masters despite faltering in the final round. Momentum made the trip with him up the coast as the Norwegian fired an opening-round 7-under 64.
Although he ranked 13th in Strokes Gained: Approach on Thursday, Hovland had inside 20 feet nine times when he hit the green in regulation. Not too shabby.
And when he missed the putting surface, Hovland was four for four getting up and down.
“I hit some really nice shots starting the day but didn’t make the putts,” he said after his round. “It was a little frustrating, but stayed patient and just kept on hitting great shots. Then the putter started heating up, and it felt very stress-free from there on in.”
Hovland’s last win on Tour came at the World Wide Technologies Championship at Mayakoba during the wrap-around season.