'Norway's First PGA Champ' Hovland: "With the Power of Taekwondo"

7-Year Trained Black Belt Expert, Indoor Training Facility Practice Leads to Amateur Ranking No.1 "Victory Surprise After 7 Competitions"

Victor Hovland (left) is celebrating with his caddie right after winning the Puerto Rico Open. Rio Grande (Puerto Rico) = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "With the power of Taekwondo."

This is the story of Viktor Hovland, the 'first Norwegian PGA champion.' He was the protagonist who won the 2019/2020 PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open by one stroke (20 under par 268) at the Coco Beach Golf Course in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, which ended on the 24th. On the final day, he drew attention for his fierce concentration, making a crucial eagle on the 15th hole and a 'precious birdie' on the last 18th hole (both par 5). His world ranking also jumped from 102nd to 60th.

Born in September 1997, he is still a 22-year-old 'young gun.' He has a physique of 178cm and 88kg. Hovland's strong mental strength comes from Taekwondo. He is a Taekwondo black belt who trained for seven years as a child. He explained, "Taekwondo helped strengthen my mental toughness." He lived in Oslo, the capital of Norway. The winters are very long, with harsh cold and heavy snowfall. Golf can only be enjoyed for five months, from early May to early October.

It is a difficult environment for producing outstanding golf players. Because of this environment, most of his golf swing practice was done indoors. He started golf at age 11 and dominated the Norwegian junior scene. At 17 in 2014, he won the Norwegian Golf Championship. In 2016, he entered Oklahoma State University in the United States and grew remarkably. He won the US Amateur Championship in 2018. Last year, he was the top amateur in both the Masters and the US Open.

Winning first place in both tournaments in the same year was the first time in 20 years since Matt Kuchar (USA) in 1998. In June last year, he caused a sensation by setting the amateur low score record (4 under par 280) at the major US Open for the first time in 59 years. He tied for 12th place competing against top-level players. Afterward, he turned professional, secured his PGA Tour card this year through the Korn Ferry (second-tier) Tour, and lifted his first winner's trophy in just seven tournaments. The golf world is welcoming the emergence of a new 'super rookie.'

He had already signed sponsorship contracts with Ping, Audemars Piguet, Lindberg, and others, recognizing his star potential. Consistency is his strength. Last October, he set a remarkable record of 19 consecutive rounds in the 60s through the second round of The CJ Cup. He has no weaknesses, with an average driving distance of 304 yards (54th), a greens in regulation rate of 71.53% (32nd), and 1.712 putts per hole (13th). Hovland cheered, "If I hadn't come to the United States, I wouldn't have had the chance to challenge a wider world," adding, "I became the first Norwegian winner."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.