“The Starter” recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott breaks down Viktor Hovland’s return and another JT close call.
From Missed Cuts to Champion: The Norwegian’s Remarkable Turnaround
Viktor Hovland found his swing when it mattered most, rallying with a spectacular finish to capture the 2025 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course on Sunday. The Norwegian star fired a 4-under 67 in the final round to edge Justin Thomas by a single stroke, claiming his seventh PGA TOUR title and first since winning the 2023 TOUR Championship.
The victory was especially sweet for Hovland, who entered the tournament in the midst of a prolonged slump. Having missed three consecutive cuts—including shooting an 80 in the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship just a week earlier—Hovland arrived at Innisbrook with little confidence.
“I honestly did not believe I could do it this week,” Hovland admitted after his victory. “I hit a lot of disgusting shots, but they happened to go where I looked. Somehow, I was able to hit the good shots I can a lot more often.”
The Snake Pit Strikes Again
The famed “Snake Pit”—Innisbrook’s challenging closing stretch of holes 16, 17, and 18—once again proved decisive in determining the champion. Trailing Thomas by three shots with five holes to play, Hovland mounted an impressive comeback, beginning with a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-5 14th.
What followed was a masterclass in clutch golf. Hovland struck a perfect 7-iron to a tucked pin on the treacherous 16th hole, leaving himself just 5 feet for a birdie that tied him with Thomas. He then took dead aim at a back pin on the par-3 17th, converting another birdie from 12 feet to seize control of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Thomas, who had played brilliantly to build a three-shot lead through 15 holes, faltered down the stretch. His aggressive play with the driver on the 16th found trouble, leading to a bogey. Another errant tee shot on 18 into deep rough sealed his fate, as Thomas bogeyed two of his final three holes to finish with a 66.
“There’s not much I can do, he birdied 16 and 17,” Thomas reflected afterward.
“Obviously, I made it a lot easier on him, but it’s fun, it’s hard, but it’s really, really fun trying to win golf tournaments.”
A Swing in Progress
Hovland’s victory is all the more remarkable considering his recent struggles with his swing. Since his last win at East Lake in 2023, Hovland has changed coaches five times, searching for consistency in his ball-striking—traditionally the strongest part of his game.
The frustration had been mounting for the 27-year-old, who hadn’t made a 36-hole cut against a full field since the Genesis Scottish Open last summer. When asked to explain his sudden return to form, Hovland could only laugh.
“I’ve got no idea,” he said with his characteristic smile.
Whatever the explanation, Hovland’s performance down the stretch showed the poise and precision that has made him one of golf’s brightest stars. His approach shots on 16 and 17 were nothing short of spectacular, giving him the cushion he needed heading to the difficult 18th hole.
Thomas’ Near Miss
For Justin Thomas, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. The two-time major champion appeared poised to end his own winless drought, which dates back to the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Thomas was 7-under and bogey-free for the day before arriving at the 16th hole. His aggressive play with the driver on the dogleg-left 16th proved costly when his tee shot ran through the fairway behind a grouping of trees.
“The moral of the story is hit a better drive,” Thomas said, showing no regrets about his strategy. “I didn’t feel like it was necessarily a stupid play.”
Despite the disappointment, Thomas found positives in his performance, which included a remarkable weekend comeback after barely making the cut on Friday.
Looking Ahead
With the victory, Hovland reestablishes himself as a potential contender heading into the Masters, but more importantly, it gives him some much-needed confidence.
For Thomas, the runner-up finish continues a solid season that has already included two second-place showings and two additional top-10s. His typically superb iron play has returned, as he ranks inside the top 10 in Strokes Gained: Approach this season. JT will return to the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking after this week as well.
As the PGA TOUR season builds toward Augusta National, both players will be worth watching closely. Hovland has found his swing at the perfect time, while Thomas appears poised for a breakthrough after another near miss.
“That was a blast,” Thomas said of the final-round duel. “That’s exactly why we play and we practice.”
