Hovland homes in on Ryder Cup with flying start
Viktor Hovland emphasised his Ryder Cup credentials with another eye-catching performance in the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando yesterday.
The Norwegian, who turned pro less than two years ago, has risen to 13th in the world and has copperplated that status with six top-sixes in his last seven starts, including a second PGA Tour title in Mexico three months ago.
The former amateur world No1 is already deemed a certainty to make a debut for Padraig Harrington’s Europe team against the United States in Wisconsin in September. And this display has only given further substance to his candidacy.
The 23-year-old finished second in last week’s WGC Workday Championship and carried on where he left off at Bay Hill, by adding a second-round 68 to his opening 69 to reach seven under, two behind Canada’s Corey Conners, with Scotland’s Martin Laird, the 2011 champion, on
eight under after a 67. Rory Mcilroy is on the same mark as Hovland after a 71, with Englishmen Paul Casey and Justin Rose two further behind, both on five under.
What was so impressive about Hovland’s performance in the first two days has been his ability to shrug off the quadruple-bogey last week that ultimately proved the difference between a win and defeat. “That’s my overall takeaway from last week,” he said. “I can put it right here.”
As it turned out, it was Collin Morikawa, Hovland’s contemporary in the US college ranks, who prevailed, putting that WGC title alongside the USPGA crown he won last year. “That was motivating to see, because you want to be that guy the next week,” Hovland said. “Collin has obviously had an amazing start to his career, and he’s easy to root for. But we will see if we can match him this time.”