Viktor Hovland’s first occasion because the PGA Championship is off to a robust begin.
He fired off a 3-under 69 Thursday at The Memorial Match, the occasion he received a season in the past.
However Hovland remained in competition due to an outstanding par-save on the par-3 twelfth, which proved to be one of the crucial important moments of the day. It stored his momentum alive as he added his ultimate two birdies at 13 and 14.
Hovland hit it into a difficult spot within the entrance proper bunker off the tee. He confronted a ‘fried egg’ for his second shot, as he did not get his ball out of the entice. However he went on to gap out for par on his subsequent try. Even the younger Norweigan couldn’t imagine the ball went into the outlet.
“That simply might have been a double bogey,” Hovland mentioned.
“That’s how this golf course is. You possibly can miss it in some dangerous spots, and also you’re going to get punished, however right now, I used to be in a position to, for essentially the most half, miss it on the proper sides.”
Hovland made one eagle, three birdies, and two bogeys on the day. He hit 9-of-14 fairways and 10-of-18 greens in regulation. The 26-year-old was on harm management all through his spherical however nonetheless completed below par.
“There have been spots that have been lower than best, however I managed to get out of there fairly nicely,” he mentioned.
“You could be simply off the inexperienced and make doubles and triples round right here should you’re not cautious. You don’t chill out an excessive amount of on the market. It’s a hectic place to play.”
The previous Oklahoma State Cowboy has struggled this season. His first high 10 of the 12 months got here at Valhalla.
His largest weaknesses this 12 months have been his iron play and brief sport. On the season, he’s 174th in strokes gained across the greens, dropping -0570 photographs, and 59th in strokes gained tee-to-green.
And but, Thursday’s spherical marked his sixth straight spherical of 69 or higher. Hovland returned to swing coach Joe Mayo forward of the PGA Championship, and his sport appeared to have improved instantly.
“I really feel like the sport has been fairly good in apply,” Hovland mentioned. “It’s nonetheless not fairly precisely how I need it to be but, but it surely’s adequate to compete, and I really feel like I’m enjoying some good golf, so simply acquired to maintain at it and hopefully it retains getting higher and higher.”
Thursday generally is a essential day on the course, particularly at a match like The Memorial. A participant can not win on day one, however they’ll definitely lose. Hovland sits three photographs off the present leaders on a course he should stay affected person on if he needs to defend his title.
“I assume capturing below par round this place, you’re by no means that far out,” he mentioned. “A whole lot of issues can occur. With the again 9, the leaders can simply fall again. If you happen to’re enjoying nicely, you may shoot up and make up a number of floor. However clearly, you wish to be on high of the leaderboard from the beginning.”
Hovland will start spherical two at 1:30 p.m. ET alongside Xander Schauffele as he seems to be to remain in competition and earn his seventh PGA Tour victory.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. For extra golf protection, make sure to comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can even comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
