Viktor Hovland has been in fine form during the first two days of the US Open at Oakmont.
Hovland has been in poor form in general this season, although he did win the Valspar Championship back in March, somewhat out of the blue it must be said.
The Norwegian has seemed like his old self at the US Open this week, and is finely poised at Oakmont after rounds of 71 and 68.
Back in May, Hovland admitted that he has struggled with his driving this season, but he has driven the ball exceptionally well this week.
The 27-year-old is ranked seventh in strokes gained off the tee. He is actually ranked inside the top 10 for both strokes gained approach and strokes gained scrambling as well.
Hovland’s putter has let him down at Oakmont, but he still has a great chance to win the golf tournament, and that shows how good his long game has been.
Viktor Hovland says what he finds absolutely ‘amazing’ about Oakmont
Hovland is well-known for being as honest as the day is long.
He never beats around the bush when speaking to the press, and that’s so refreshing to see in this day and age.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner addressed the media after his round of 68 on day two of the US Open.
Hovland responded when asked what he thinks of the greens at Oakmont.
He said, “Yeah, I mean, we don’t play a whole lot of Poa annua greens, and I mean, it’s just amazing how many holes — how many greens you can have that are sloped front to back. Usually that’s a pet peeve of mine. I almost automatically think it’s a bad hole if it’s sloped front to back. Somehow they make it work here. I think it’s a fun challenge. It’s a fun test.
“It’s just super dicey because you obviously want to be below the hole, but on holes like No. 1 it’s kind of hard to do, especially with today’s pin. There’s just a lot of strategy. You have to be super precise on your distance control, and obviously speed — just your lag putting, the importance of lag putting goes up significantly compared to other weeks.“
Hovland on whether he likes the driving test at Oakmont
The man from Norway has looked at ease in the most part with the driver in hand this week.
And he was asked by reporters whether he has enjoyed the challenge presented by Oakmont off the tee.
Hovland said, “Yeah, that’s a U.S. Open, I guess. It’s the same for everyone largely. Another credit to Oakmont is I don’t think I’ve ever seen more consistent rough throughout the property. The rough is the same everywhere it seems like.
“Now, some places it’s a bit more trampled down, you can have some downgrain and sometimes you can advance it on the green. Usually when the rough is like that, the bunkers are kind of an escape. But man, those lips out of almost every single bunker, they’re so high that you’re just pitching out almost every time.
“Just puts a big emphasis on the driver, but as well, when the fairways are getting firmer and there’s some slopes in the fairways, it’s almost a little bit too much. Especially I do like to cut it, and I think it’s like three of those fairways you’ve got — No. 9, No. 12 and then No. 15, they’re getting a little bit dicey. You almost have to be all the way up in the left corner to maybe have it stop on the fairway. It’s going to get tougher and tougher.“
Hovland’s swing looks to be in great shape heading into the weekend at the US Open, and if he starts putting well, who knows what he could achieve over the next couple of days?
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