Viktor Hovland is back in the winner’s circle after completing a sensational comeback victory at the Valspar Championship; watch the Texas Children’s Hospital Open live on Sky Sports Golf this Thursday from 8pm
Viktor Hovland sealed his first victory since the 2023 Tour Championship with a stunning comeback victory at the Valspar Championship, edging out Justin Thomas
The Norwegian, who missed the cut in his previous three tournaments, notched birdies on three of his final five holes to shoot four-under-par 67 and seal a famous win at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course.
“I hit a lot of disgusting shots, but they just happened to go where I looked,” Hovland joked. “Somehow I was able to hit the good shots I can a lot more often.”
He finished 11-under for a one-stroke victory over Justin Thomas, having been three strokes off the pace on the back nine before he went on a rampaging run.
“I honestly did not believe I could do it this week,” he said.
It looked bleak even after Hovland and Thomas finally separated from the pack during a final round so tight that nine players had at least a share of the lead at some point.
Hovland was three shots behind Thomas when he holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-five 14th to start his amazing run. He hit a seven-iron at a tucked pin on the 16th hole – the toughest hole on the course – to five feet for birdie that tied him for the lead.