Staff Writer
What’s in the Bag?
Driver: Ping G425 LST (9º)
3-Wood: TaylorMade Sim Ti
Irons:
Titleist U505 (3-iron)
Ping i210 (4-PW)
Wedges:
Ping s159 (50/S, 56/S)
Ping Glide 2.0 (60/T)
Putter: Ping PLD DS72 Prototype
Viktor Hovland walked away from the 2025 Valspar Championship with a trophy in one hand and a well-earned grin on his face, having outdueled Justin Thomas by a single stroke.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a masterclass in grit and shot-making, the kind of performance that makes you wonder if Hovland has ice water running through his veins or if he’s just really good at pretending he does.
For those who witnessed this nail-biting finish, it was a display of steady nerves and textbook shot-making, reminding us all why “Viktor Hovland” is a name to watch—no matter how many times he’s found the rough on Thursday.
Hovland arrived at Sunday’s tee box tied for the lead, only to find himself three shots behind Thomas with five holes left.
But if you know the Norwegian’s penchant for plotting comebacks, you weren’t entirely shocked when birdies on 14, 16, and 17 catapulted him ahead.
Yes, he leaked a bogey on 18, but Thomas kindly did the same on two of his last three holes, including the final one, sealing Hovland’s 11-under-par 273 victory.
“I honestly did not believe I could do it this week,” he confessed afterward, sounding as surprised as anyone who saw him miss three consecutive cuts before strutting off with the trophy.
In addition to pocketing a cool $1,566,000 and 500 FedExCup points, Hovland also put on a masterclass in course management.
He wielded a Ping G425 LST driver (9º) that kept him consistently in the fairway, with a TaylorMade Sim Ti 3-wood and Titleist U505 3-iron ready to pounce on par 5s.
The backbone of his iron play came from Ping i210 irons (4-PW), while those sweetly judged wedge shots stemmed from Ping s159 wedges (50/S, 56/S) and a trusty Ping Glide 2.0 wedge (60/T).
Capping it all off was his Ping PLD DS 72 Prototype putter, which handled the Copperhead’s snake-like greens with poise.
Of course, no modern champion strolls around the PGA TOUR without a polished sense of style, and Hovland is no exception.
Sporting head-turning J.Lindeberg golf wear, he blended performance and panache—serving up a visual reminder that his flair extends beyond the fairways.
If you noticed the elegant colour combos and form-flattering fits, you weren’t alone; J.Lindeberg’s signature looks have a habit of making golfers and fashion enthusiasts alike nod in approval.
While Jacob Bridgeman quietly slipped into third place at 9-under and Sam Ryder stole a few headlines with a dazzling hole-in-one on the 17th during the third round, there’s no denying who owned the spotlight come Sunday afternoon.
Hovland’s victory—his first since the FedExCup in 2023—reaffirms he’s more than capable of shaking off a rough patch to pull off something special.
And if his final-round fireworks at the Valspar are any indication, Viktor Hovland might just keep us all leaning forward in our seats for years to come.
