Viktor Hovland came roaring back to form this weekend and came ever so close to winning out at the St Jude Championship.
The Norwegian carded a brilliant final round of four under par to push Hideki Matsuyama all the way in Memphis.
In the end, it wasn’t quite enough as Matsuyama came from nowhere in the last two holes to make two birdies and end anyone else’s chances of success.
Scottie Scheffler had warned Matsuyama of the perils of the back nine and that prediction came true as the Japanese star found the water.
For Hovland and others, like Xander Schauffele, it left a door open and they duly obliged.
However, while it wasn’t to be for Hovland, it was a welcome return to form after an up and down 2024.
Hovland had admitted last night that it was nice to see his shots actually going where he planned this week.
And speaking about the Norwegian on Sky Sports afterwards, David Howell has suggested we might see the best of Hovland again in 2025.
Sky Sports pundit predicts a big 2025 for Viktor Hovland
Speaking to Nick Dougherty in the aftermath of the tournament, Howell was asked about where Hovland is right now in his game.
And in good news for the world of golf, Howell has predicted that the 26-year-old looks on course to being back to his best.
“What we know about Viktor is when he finds his form he doesn’t need any run or top 10s to threaten,2 Howell said.
“Yes he was there in the PGA but he just fell short but what a sublime shot he hit today at the last it might have gone in. So yes, we can start to get excited.
“We can breathe a sigh of relief as well that he’s not going to get any worse. There was a point this year where you thought ‘goodness me you haven’t messed this hole thing up have you from the pinnacle of your career?’.
“But he hasn’t, he’s still the man we knew, not quite as consistent but I think moving into next year the ship will be righted and I expect him to have a good week next week.”
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As we know, Hovland won the FedEx event outright in 2023 and he’s managed to position himself to be in contention once again with his latest performance here.
Sooner or late, Hovland is going to win a major and 2025 might just be his year.
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