After winning at the Valspar, is Masters contention next for Viktor Hovland?
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Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Viktor Hovland’s win, Justin Thomas’ close call and look at potential Masters Cinderella stories.
Viktor Hovland beat Justin Thomas by one to win the Valspar Championship on Sunday, his first victory since he won the BMW Championship and Tour Championship back to back in August 2023. It had been a struggle for him since then, and he missed his last three cuts entering this week. What was the difference at the Valspar? And are you a believer that he’s back? Or do you need to see more?
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): It’s hard to believe he’s really back when Hovland himself doesn’t seem to think he is. By his own admission, he is still hitting a lot of what he calls “disgusting” shots. But this week, he managed his game beautifully, especially down the stretch, leaning on his iron game and coming up clutch with the putter. I don’t mean to minimize the win. Winning any tournament is no small feat. But golf is just too fickle–and Hovland himself seems so committed to constant tinkering–to use this week as a predictor of what’s coming next.
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): Echoing what Sens said above. Hovland won’t be fully “back” until he feels like he has full control of his swing. Sure he won this week, but it doesn’t sound like he’s content with where his game is at. This week is a great step in the right direction, but Hovland’s swing is far from a finished product.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): He hit some really key irons late — which is exactly where he’s supposed to excel — to set up his last two birdies, but difficult to say this will turn the tide given how transparent he was afterward. His confidence doesn’t seem high — he did just shoot 80 last week — and he seemed surprised to win this thing. But a win like this might do wonders, so perhaps this is just the start of a string of strong finishes and a little more belief.
Thomas held a two-stroke lead late but missed fairways and bogeyed 16 and 18. As someone who hasn’t won since May 2022, is he the headlining pro who needs one most? Or does that honor belong to someone else — Homa? Spieth? etc. — on the PGA Tour?
Sens: Thomas may be in a victory drought, but he’s also won more times (15) than any player other except Rory since 2016. Getting this close has got to feel promising for him on some level. I’d give the “honor” to Spieth, who has been winless for even longer than Thomas, and has arguably fallen farther from his peak than his good friend.
Melton: JT may be in a winless drought, but his game is in a far better spot than Homa and, to a lesser extent, Spieth. I’m sure he’d much rather be holding a trophy tonight rather than stewing on the “what-ifs,” but he’s not nearly as lost as those other two. The next JT win feels close.
Berhow: I’d argue Homa needs it most right now, since he is currently in a very similar spot to Viktor (before he won Sunday). Thomas and Spieth have winless streaks extending a little longer than Homa, although Thomas seems close. Few guys have the firepower he does when he’s on. He barely made the cut at the Valspar and fought to the top of the leaderboard. I think good things are coming for him.
Who had the best — or most cringeworthy — anger-management moment at the Valspar? Patton Kizzire’s putter punt or Adam Hadwin’s sprinkler mishap?
Sens; Kizzire’s putter punt was a novel move. At least, I’d never seen one like it before. But for keystone cop comedy and comeuppance, I give the nod to Hadwin triggering the sprinkler’s wrath.
Melton: The putter punt was great theater, but certainly some embarrassing behavior coming from a seasoned Tour pro. Hadwin’s sprinkler mishap seemed more like bad luck than anything else. I’ll give an honorable mention to Spieth for unleashing an aggressive f-bomb on Saturday. He got his money’s worth with that one.
Berhow: The PPP — Patton Putter Punt — had impressive hang time. He’s gonna shank that thing more times than not. If you are going to punt a putter, you better make good contact. He did. Hadwin’s was definitely more embarrassing.
The Florida swing is officially over. What did you learn?
Sens: That Rory McIlroy is going to win the Masters. (or not).
Melton: Rory is still a dog and Russell Henley is going to be on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Plus, I learned who Joe Highsmith was!
Berhow: Scottie Scheffler is not yet 100 percent following the hand injury. When will he be, and how much can he win when he’s not 100 percent? These are questions we don’t have answers to yet.
We’ll get into Masters storylines and picks more in the coming weeks, but with a hat tip to March Madness tipping off, who is your early Cinderella pick for Augusta National?
Sens: I wouldn’t exactly call it a Cinderella pick, but Joaquin Niemann, LIV’s hottest player this season, would count as something of an upstart win.
Melton: I need to see a top 20 in a major from Niemann (he still doesn’t have one!) before I start picking him. I’ll keep showing love to Russell Henley. Two major top 10s to cap last season and an API win already this year. As they say, he’s trending.
Berhow: I love Niemann at Augusta, but since he’s already taken, how about Keegan Bradley as a long shot? Hasn’t missed a cut in seven starts this season. Five times, he’s been 20th or better. Not a ton of success at Augusta, but he’s finished T22 and T23 in his last two starts. There’s lots to like for someone you can find at +18000 to win. Plus, Bradley contending would make for juicy Ryder Cup captaincy storylines.
