Viktor Hovland achieved a remarkable comeback victory at the Valspar Championship, marking his first win since the 2023 Tour Championship. The Norwegian golfer edged out Justin Thomas by securing birdies on three of his final five holes, finishing with an impressive four-under-par 67 at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course.
After missing the cut in his previous three tournaments, Hovland expressed surprise at his performance, humorously stating, “I hit a lot of disgusting shots, but they just happened to go where I looked.” He concluded the tournament at 11-under, narrowly beating Thomas by one stroke.
Initially trailing by three strokes on the back nine, Hovland initiated his remarkable rally with a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-five 14th. A pivotal moment came when he hit a seven-iron to within five feet on the challenging 16th hole, tying him for the lead. A birdie on the par-three 17th solidified his advantage as Thomas struggled in the closing holes.
“I honestly did not believe I could do it this week,” Hovland admitted after the thrilling victory.
Thomas, whose last win was the 2022 PGA Championship, reflected on his performance by stating, “I felt so good out there, so excited for every shot.” He acknowledged Hovland’s strong finish, adding, “It’s really hard – but really fun – trying to win golf tournaments.”
Jacob Bridgeman finished in third place at nine-under, while Bud Cauley, Billy Horschel, and Ryo Hisatsune rounded out the top four at eight-under.
Horschel’s Left-Handed Heroics
Billy Horschel delivered a spectacular moment during the tournament, executing an improbable left-handed shot from a difficult lie on the par-five fifth hole. After his ball settled against a tree, he made a left-handed swing with a nine-iron, sending it 117 yards onto the green and sinking a long birdie putt.
Horschel humorously recounted the moment, saying, “There was no way to hit it but lefty,” while also having to ensure his young son was safely out of the way during the shot. “The last thing I need to do is call my wife and tell her I just hit my son with a golf ball,” he quipped.
With the Texas Children’s Hospital Open approaching, the excitement in the golf community continues to build as fans look forward to the next thrilling event. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage from ECNETNews.
