Viktor Hovland returned to the winner circle at the Valspar Championship.
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Golf is a weird game. Not long ago, Viktor Hovland was at the peak of the golf world.
He competed in the FedEx Cup, ranked third in the world, and won an impressive 3-1-1 Ryder Cup performance at Marco Simone. He also participated in the “best in the world” debate. He was feared, admired and in everyone’s mind.
In 2024, greatness has stalled. Some coach swaps, swing changes and overall declines in scores put him at No. 19 in the world, and he started this week at the 2025 Valspar Championship.
There is no sign of improvement at the beginning of the season. Hovland entered Valspar after three consecutive wins. But, like I said, golf was a weird game, and Hofland discovered something this week, defeating Justin Thomas in one shot and claiming his seventh-place PGA Tour champion.
His stubborn performance when he won the Copperhead course of Crazy Challenge makes us all here and all he needs is to go into the fight again. Winning on the Tour is nearly impossible, and for someone like Hofland, perhaps tasting victory in tough conditions is everything he needs to get back to where we all expect him to be.
His schoolbag is very interesting. Most of it started two to three years ago, and as I learned while watching him working with Ping Tour Rep Kenton Oates, Viktor Hovland is very specific about the land in the package. If something is working, it will remain until something breaks or something new appears, which is better. Hovland is a “hard switcher” and I love him.
Key statistics:
SG Total: 13.619 (ranked: 1)
SG putter: 7.353 (2)
SG green method: 5.886 (6)
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Here is the club Hovland used to win the 2025 Valspar:
driver: ping g425 lst 9 at 8.5° (14g cg shifter in flat standard, neutral environment)
axis: Fujikura Speeder TR 661-TX (45.75 EOG, 1-inch tilt, D5+)
Fujitosuo drives TR wooden shaft
$400
The Fujikura Speeder TR is created on a brand new EI profile that passes through the midsection of the stiff shaft and provides proper flexion on the hip and tip sides. The result is a very stable low- and medium-range launch and low spin axis that can produce abnormal ball velocity. You can buy Fujikura Speeder TR in the following models: 569, 661 and 757. You can purchase the Fujikura Speeder TR with a selection adapter sleeve built to the required specifications. Jockey Tip: The Fujikura Speeder TR is perfect for players looking for a mid-sized launch, with the low-rotating axis designed for better players looking for a specific feeling and maximizing performance.
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3 woods: Taylormade SIM at 14 degrees
axis: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (1.5) 43-inch EOG, D4
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