Viktor Hovland has Ryder Cup and European Tour titles in his sights

Norwegian Viktor Hovland underlined his Ryder Cup credentials in the company of Ian Poulter, Europe’s talisman in the event, as the second round of the Saudi International was hit by bad weather.
Ian Poulter and Viktor Hovland during the second round of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.Ian Poulter and Viktor Hovland during the second round of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.
Ian Poulter and Viktor Hovland during the second round of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Hovland, a two-time winner already on the PGA Tour at the age of 23, had already been among those faced with tougher first-round conditions at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club as he opened with a two-under-par 68.

That effort came as the stroke average rose to 70.68 in a strengthening afternoon wind off the Red Sea, having been 68.21 earlier in the day as England’s David Horsey and Scot Stephen Gallacher shot 61 and 62 respectively.

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In wet and windy morning conditions for the second round of the $3.5 million event, Hovland added a brilliant bogey-free 66 to move to six-under before play was suspended due to dangerous weather.

He held a one-shot lead in the clubhouse over both England’s Chris Paisley and Italian Guido Migliozzi after they both signed for 67s, with Poulter a shot further back following a 69.

On a day when both Gallacher and Calum Hill, who had opened with a 65, were among the later starters, Bob MacIntyre ensured his place in the weekend action after moving to one-under with a 68.

Hovland, the world No 12, picked up two shots in his first three holes after starting at the 10th before adding gains at the 17th and fourth.

“The golf course played a lot longer and it wasn't necessarily as easy to get close to the pin,” he said afterwards. “I made a couple nice saves and just played very solid.”

On being unlucky with the draw this week, he added: “Yeah, it's a little unfortunate. Obviously the guys in the morning group yesterday, they shot pretty low.

“I mean, nine-under out there is good. I don't care what the conditions are. That's an amazing round.

“But it definitely played a lot harder in the afternoon yesterday, and today it was windy from the start and some rain here and there. I just knew if I just stick to my game plan, I can still be competitive.”

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Hovland and MacIntyre have a lot in common as they are both great kids as well as great players. There’s a great chance both could be on Padraig Harrington’s team for that Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in September.

“It's awesome,” said Hovland of playing with Poulter in the opening two rounds this week, with Harrngton probably having had a hand in that.

“He's obviously a very passionate guy, and it's cool to see that passion come out, even though it's not a Ryder Cup.

“Yeah, I could just kind of picture him and Danny Willett (the third member of the group) in that environment. I'd love to maybe be in the same setting some day.”

He also has his sights set on adding European Tour titles to his victories in the Puerto Rico Open and the Mayakoba Classic on the PGA Tour within the past 12 months.

“I grew up mainly watching the European Tour,” he said. “It's cool to be playing in those events myself, and obviously having gotten a couple wins in the States, I feel that's one thing that's missing, to get a European Tour event win on my resumé.”

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