Before they turned pro: Viktor Hovland

November 8, 2021 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

The 24-year-old picked up his fourth professional win, just three years after his breakthrough U.S. Amateur win at Pebble Beach

We saw the big smile and the quirky, fun personality three years ago as we stood with Viktor Hovland behind the 18th hole at Pebble Beach, just after his breakthrough U.S. Amateur victory.

At the time, Hovland was ascending quickly through the amateur golf world, helping Oklahoma State University win a national title earlier in 2018, nearly winning the European Amateur, and consistently finishing at or near the top of college and amateur leaderboards (he had an amazing 15 top-10 finishes in 2018 alone.

It wasn't long before he began to show the ability to compete on the professional level, earning low amateur honors at the Masters and finishing T12 in the U.S. Open before turning pro in 2019.

Now, just over two years later, he is already the best golfer ever to come out of Norway and has just picked up his fourth professional win, successfully defending his title at the PGA Tour World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. Having already become a Ryder Cup member of Team Europe, surely the next step is a major title.

Here are a few of the stories from our coverage of Viktor Hovland the amateur:

Fitting farewell: Hovland breaks U.S. Open record in am swan song
Jun 16, 2019 - If there were any doubts about where Viktor Hovland belongs next year, the 21-year-old cleared them up at Pebble Beach.
U.S. Open: Hovland turns heads in return to Pebble Beach
Jun 13, 2019 - After six holes, it looked like Viktor Hovland's day at Pebble Beach would be magical. After a 69, it was still notable.
Ahead of title defense, Viktor Hovland wins the Ben Hogan Award
May 20, 2019 - The U.S. Amateur champion and Masters low amateur will lead Oklahoma State into the NCAAs as the clear favorite to repeat
Hovland, Wolff, Morikawa remain in running for Ben Hogan Award
May 02, 2019 - The finalists have been announced for the prestigious Ben Hogan Award, given annually to the top men's college golfer
Hovland, Masters low am, scores seat by Woods in Butler cabin
Apr 14, 2019 - Oklahoma State's Viktor Hovland earned a spot in Masters history as he accepted the Silver Cup beside Tiger Woods on Sunday
Hovland leads charge as four amateurs make Masters cut
Apr 12, 2019 - The U.S. Amateur champion is 1 under through 36 holes, and leads the race for low-amateur honors
Kanaya wows early at Augusta; Hovland leads am contingent
Apr 11, 2019 - Takumi Kanaya was 2 under through his first two holes, but Viktor Hovland had the best day overall
Cowboys Hovland, Wolff top Haskins Award Watch List
Mar 11, 2019 - Oklahoma State's top scorers top the first spring installment of the Haskins Award Watch List
At Bay Hill, Hovland thrives in U.S. Am winner's spotlight
Mar 10, 2019 - Viktor Hovland was the only amateur to make the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which shows growth at the Tour level
Bauchou, Hovland lead OK State on big first day at Amer Ari
Feb 07, 2019 - With a 63 from Bauchou and a 66 from Hovland, the Cowboys easily climbed into the lead on a low-scoring day in Hawaii
The 2018 AGC Men's Player of the Year: Viktor Hovland
Jan 02, 2019 - The 21-year-old from Norway and Oklahoma State University made it to the top of both the amateur and college game in 2018
Top amateur golf moments 2018, No. 2: To him go the spoils
Dec 20, 2018 - Viktor Hovland's dominating win at Pebble was the product of a swing change, a coach on the bag, belief, and a red-hot putter
OK State's Hovland cruises to U.S. Amateur victory
Aug 19, 2018 - Viktor Hovland was downright inspiring at Pebble Beach as he authored a quick run to the U.S. Amateur title
U.S. Amateur: Hovland over Hammer, will meet Bling in final
Aug 18, 2018 - Viktor Hovland and Devon Bling will meet in a 36-hole, all-college final Sunday at Pebble Beach Golf Links
U.S. Am semis: Hovland meets Hammer, Cali boys face off
Aug 17, 2018 - The U.S. Amateur semifinals are set at Pebble Beach: Viktor Hovland vs. Cole Hammer and Devon Bling vs. Isaiah Salinda
Pokes Win Again, this time at Valspar Collegiate
Mar 20, 2018 - For the third-time in program history Oklahoma State has won six straight tournaments
Viktor Hovland fires 63 to take European Amateur lead
Aug 05, 2016 - Five players will begin the final round within four-strokes of the third round lead
Hovland, Lee lead U.S. Junior Amateur after day one
Jul 20, 2015 - Viktor Hovland of Norway and Won Jun Lee posted 68 on Monday at Colleton River Plantation Club to lead by one