Viktor Hovland’s U.S. Open Test: Can Talent Conquer Driver Troubles?
So here we are, deep into the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, and Viktor Hovland is making headlines once again—not just for his play, but for the ongoing saga with his driver. It’s a bit of a love-hate relationship at this point, and you could feel every ounce of that tension during Saturday’s third round.
Now picture this: Hovland steps up to the first tee, sets his stance, and sends his opening shot sailing—not down the fairway—but into the bushes. Right off the bat, he’s taking a penalty stroke, dropping onto a muddy cart path, and hacking through the trees just to save bogey. That kind of start could rattle even the most seasoned pros. But not Viktor. He brushes it off and grinds through the rest of his round with impressive composure, carding an even-par 70.
Despite the rocky start, he finds himself just three strokes behind the leader, Sam Burns, heading into the final round. That’s right—he’s still very much in contention for his first major title. But the big question looms: can he win the U.S. Open while wrestling with a driver that doesn’t seem to want to cooperate?
Viktor himself didn’t mince words: “A little bitter about my driver. Just can’t seem to figure it out. It’s like a lingering problem all these years.” You can hear the frustration, but also the curiosity. He’s not just chasing trophies—he’s chasing perfection. He wants the ball to do exactly what he envisions. And when it doesn’t, it bugs him. It fuels him.
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What’s remarkable is how well he’s holding it together in every other part of his game. His irons are dialed in. He’s leading the field in greens in regulation, making savvy recovery shots, and draining crucial putts—like that birdie on 17 after a tough lie in the rough. That’s grit. That’s skill.
And here’s the kicker: as the sun went down Saturday, the range was empty except for one man—Viktor Hovland. There he was, pounding drivers one after another, trying to talk it out with his most troublesome club. That’s not something you see every day. Most guys would’ve packed it up, rested up, maybe grabbed a drink. But not Viktor. He’s the only contender who would rather miss dinner than miss the chance to fix one more thing in his swing.
At just 27 years old, the Norwegian is mature beyond his years, and yet, he still carries that youthful obsession with improvement. He’s not content to play “good enough.” He wants to figure out why it’s not perfect. That mindset might just be the thing that pushes him over the finish line one day. Maybe even this Sunday.
So here we go: final round of the U.S. Open, Oakmont playing as fierce as ever, and Viktor Hovland three shots back with a driver he’s still not sure he trusts. But let’s be honest—if he even finds a little rhythm off the tee, the rest of his game is so sharp, he could absolutely walk away with his first major.
Is this the weekend it finally clicks for him? Maybe. One thing’s for sure though—win or lose, Viktor Hovland isn’t going to stop trying to solve the puzzle. And that, honestly, makes watching him even more compelling than the trophy itself.
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