Victor Hovland takes down Copperhead and wins the Valspar Championship at 11-under par. Hovland just edged out Justin Thomas down the stretch to take the championship by a single stroke.
Season Struggles
Since his 2023 FedExCup triumph, Hovland has faced a challenging period. The 2024 season saw him record only two top-10 finishes and missed cuts in three of the four major tournaments. The start of 2025 mirrored these struggles, with a T36 at The Sentry and a T22 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He also missed the cut at The Genesis Invitational and The Players.
Complicating matters, Hovland underwent coaching changes, parting ways with instructor Joe Mayo in December 2024 after a brief reunion. Reflecting on his form, Hovland admitted, “I am still hitting a lot of disgusting shots.”
Expectations were at an all-time low for Hovland heading into the Valspar. Even in a field that was missing the likes of Players Championship winner Rory Mcilroy and favorite Scottie Sheffler, his name wasn’t among the real contenders for the tournament. Vegas didn’t have much faith either as Hovland could be taken at 50/1 before tee-off.
Path to Victory
Entering the final round tied for the lead with Nico Echavarria and Jacob Bridgeman at seven-under, Hovland remained steady amid a fluctuating leaderboard. Midway through the back nine, Justin Thomas held a three-shot advantage after a series of birdies. Showing the talent and grit that the golf world knows he has, Hovland responded with birdies on the 14th, 16th, and 17th holes. Thomas’s bogeys on the 16th and 18th secured Hovland’s one-shot victory.
Despite ongoing challenges with his driver, Hovland’s iron play was pivotal. He acknowledged, “I just had to stay patient and rely on my irons.” His victory at the 2025 Valspar Championship marks a significant turning point in his career. This victory ends an 18-month winless streak and reaffirms his status as one of golf’s premier talents.
Implications for The Masters Including Odds
Current Odds
Scottie Scheffler +490
Rory McIlroy +600
Ludvig Aberg +1500
Jon Rahm +1500
Collin Morikawa +1700
Bryson DeChambeau +1700
Xander Schauffele +2100
Hideki Matsuyama +2400
Justin Thomas +2100
Tyrrell Hatton +3100
Brooks Koepka +3100
Patrick Cantlay +3200
Cameron Smith +3600
Shane Lowry +3600
Will Zalatoris +3800
Jordan Spieth +3800
Viktor Hovland +4400
With 16 players ahead of him in currents odds lists, he might provide some value for bettors.
Making Sense of the Odds
This recent victory propels Hovland from 137th to 26th in the FedExCup standings and elevates him to 8th in the Official World Golf Ranking, despite Vegas not showing him that love. With The Masters approaching in April, this win provides a timely confidence boost. However, Hovland remains cautious, stating, “I still have some things to work on before Augusta.”
Going into the final stretch of tournaments before Augusta, we knew many golfers needed to make a move. The clock is ticking on many player’s hope for a green jacket. Hovland was one of those players who needed a spark to be able to believe they could compete come April.
Hovland’s performance at the Valspar Championship not only ends his winless streak but also positions him as a formidable contender for The Masters. His ability to navigate adversity and secure victory underscores his resilience and potential for future success on golf’s biggest stages. The next few weeks will be crucial if Hovland is to prove he really is back or only had one last run left in him.
Main photo credit: © Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
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