Professional golfer
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland is Norway’s most accomplished professional golfer and one of the PGA Tour’s elite ball-strikers. He became the first Norwegian to win on the PGA Tour, captured the 2023 FedExCup, and has now collected eight PGA Tour victories. As of October 17, 2026, he is ranked 13th in the world and
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AT A GLANCE
Quick facts
- Nationality
- NorwegianBorn and raised in Oslo
- Birth date
- September 18, 1997
- College
- Oklahoma State University
- PGA Tour wins
- 8As of October 17, 2026
- World ranking
- 13thAs of October 17, 2026
- FedExCup standing
- 2nd2026 season
THE STORY
What to know
At a glance
Who is Viktor Hovland?
Born in Oslo, Hovland turned professional in 2019 after a standout career at Oklahoma State University. He is known for his upbeat personality, fast tempo and unusually strong iron play.
- Norway
- Born September 18, 1997
- Oklahoma State University
- Turned professional in 2019
Career record
A fast rise to the top
Hovland won the 2018 U.S. Amateur, earned his PGA Tour card, and quickly became a regular winner. His defining achievement remains winning the 2023 FedExCup after victories at the BMW Championship and Tour Championship.
- 8 PGA Tour wins
- 2 international wins
- 2023 FedExCup champion
- 2023 BMW Championship winner
- 2023 Tour Championship winner
- 2026 Travelers Championship winner
Major championships
Best major performances
Hovland has come close to winning a major, especially at the 2023 PGA Championship and 2023 Open Championship. His major breakthrough is still one of the biggest remaining targets in his career.
- 2023 PGA Championship — T2
- 2023 Open Championship — T2
- 2022 Open Championship — T4
- 2020 U.S. Open — T12
Playing style
Why his game works
Hovland’s greatest strength is his approach play, particularly from the fairway and rough. He combines a compact, repeatable swing with excellent long-iron control and a calm temperament in contention.
- Elite iron play
- Strong long-iron distance control
- Aggressive but controlled ball flight
- Improved short game compared with his early career
2026 form
Where he stands now
In the 2026 season, Hovland has recorded one win, four top-10 finishes and nine top-25 finishes in 19 PGA Tour starts. He finished runner-up at the 2026 Tour Championship.
- 2026 Travelers Championship — Won
- 2026 Tour Championship — 2nd
- 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational — T13
- 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship — T13
Equipment
What he plays
Hovland has been associated with PING equipment and Titleist golf balls. Current equipment reporting indicates a PING G440 LST driver, PING i210 irons, a PING PLD prototype putter and a Titleist Pro V1 ball; professional setups can change week to week.
- PING G440 LST driver
- PING i210 irons
- PING PLD DS 72 prototype putter
- Titleist Pro V1 golf ball
Away from golf
The person behind the golfer
Hovland learned golf from his father, who brought clubs back to Norway after working in the United States. He grew up playing soccer and practicing indoors, and is known for his love of heavy metal music.
- Started playing golf around age 11
- Father: Harald Hovland
- Enjoys Metallica, Tool and System of a Down
- Learned English partly through movies
CAREER & GOLF JOURNEY
Notable moments
Wins the U.S. Amateur
Defeated Devon Bling at Pebble Beach and became the first Norwegian winner.
Turns professional
Leaves Oklahoma State and quickly establishes himself on the PGA Tour.
First PGA Tour win
Wins the Puerto Rico Open, becoming the first Norwegian PGA Tour winner.
Breakthrough international season
Wins the BMW International Open and demonstrates growing strength worldwide.
Wins the FedExCup
Captures the BMW Championship and Tour Championship in consecutive weeks.
Wins the Travelers Championship
Defeats Scottie Scheffler in a playoff for his eighth PGA Tour title.
RECENT FORM
Recent results and activity
| Event | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers Championship | Won | June 2026 |
| Tour Championship | 2nd | August 2026 |
| FedEx St. Jude Championship | T19 | August 2026 |
| BMW Championship | T33 | August 2026 |
WHAT'S IN THE BAG
Equipment
- Driver
- PING G440 LSTReported current setupReported WITB · 2026-10-17
- Irons
- PING i210Older cavity-back model still reported in useReported WITB · 2026-10-17
- Putter
- PING PLD DS 72 PrototypePrototype blade-style putterReported WITB · 2026-10-17
- Ball
- Titleist Pro V1Reported tournament ballReported WITB · 2026-10-17
HH take
Why this profile is worth exploring
Hovland is one of the most entertaining elite golfers to follow: technically brilliant, emotionally expressive and still searching for the major championship that would complete his résumé.