Before they turned pro: Viktor Hovland

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