Viktor Hovland shot 64-65 to climb within one of the lead at the RBC Heritage, setting up a high-profile weekend duel with Matt Fitzpatrick.
Viktor Hovland is giving himself a real chance to make some noise at the RBC Heritage, and the timing couldn’t be much better.
After opening with a 7-under 64, Hovland followed it up with a 6-under 65 on Friday to move to 13-under for the tournament, just one shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick heading into the weekend at Harbour Town Golf Links.
That’s a big development for a player who’s spent much of the last few seasons trying to get every part of his game back in sync.
The six-time PGA Tour winner has shown flashes, but not always all at once. This week in Hilton Head, though, things are starting to look a lot more complete.
Hovland managed tough afternoon conditions, handled the swirling wind, and stayed steady even when his ball-striking wasn’t perfect.
“I wouldn't say I striped it today, but at least I kind of kept the ball in front of me,” Hovland said. “I was really happy with how I was able to stabilize the round and not let it get off the tracks.”
That may be the biggest sign of progress. In past weeks, a few loose swings might’ve turned into a wasted round.
Instead, Hovland kept grinding, then delivered one of Friday’s biggest moments with a birdie at the difficult par-3 17th. His scorecard showed balance all day, with a 32 on the front and a 33 on the back.
Harbour Town’s tight sightlines and demanding visuals are a natural test for discipline, and Hovland clearly appreciates the challenge.
“It's very tricky and it's very visually demanding,” he said. “You know you've got to hit some great shots.”
He also sounds more confident in where his game is headed. Hovland said, “I saw a lot of good stuff,” while describing the progress he’s made with his ball-striking in recent weeks.
READ MORE: Tiger Woods Fights Subpoena for Drug Records
Now he’ll head into Saturday in the final group with Fitzpatrick, whom he praised by saying, “He works so hard,” and calling his approach “very admirable.”
If Hovland’s game keeps trending this way, this weekend could get very interesting very quickly.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community for FREE! Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable App to stay even more connected!