March 3, 2025
Viktor Hovland missed the cut at last month's Genesis Invitational and is now focusing on this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, held at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club. The missed cut marked Hovland's second of the year. Last year, he finished T10 in this tournament, and in 2024, he finished T36. Over the past 12 months, Hovland ranks in the 85th percentile for approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is noteworthy because, at last year's Arnold Palmer Invitational, over 35% of approach shots came from this distance. Including Hovland in DFS lineups this week carries some risk.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 11, 2025
Viktor Hovland has started in just two PGA events this year, recording finishes of T36 and T22. He now turns his focus to the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, a course where he has played twice, finishing T2 in 2021 and missing the cut in 2019 -- both at the Farmers Insurance Open. This year, Hovland ranks 146th in strokes gained around the green but makes up for it with his approach play. He ranks in the 96th percentile for proximity to the hole from 150-200 yards over the past 12 months, a distance that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. Additionally, Hovland is accurate off the tee, ranking 37th on tour in accuracy while gaining 2.390 strokes off the tee through his first two events. At a price tag of $7,900 on DraftKings, Hovland's upside is certainly worth considering for fantasy managers.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: DataGolf
January 27, 2025
There's no denying that Viktor Hovland is among the elite golfers in this field, and his $8,800 DraftKings salary will certainly be enticing. But fantasy managers should proceed with caution this week based on recent form, course history, and course fit. The OWGR No. 9 has only appeared in two events since the Tour Championship last September, finishing T36 at The Sentry in early January and missing the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic last week. In his three appearances at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am dating back to 202, his average finish position is 36th and he's yet to finish inside of the top-10. Hovland may find similar difficulty this week, as Pebble Beach has the smallest greens on Tour and places a premium on around-the-green play, a historical weak spot for the Norwegian. Fantasy managers should consider bypassing the savings on Hovland this week and wait for a return to form on a better course fit.
--Ryan HickeySource: PGA Tour
January 1, 2025
Viktor Hovland is looking to make the first start of 2025 since breaking his pinky toe and his recent breakup (again) with swing coach, Joe Mayo, he is coming into the new year doing much of the same as he was in 2024; searching. The ball striking is still there, as he finished the season ranked 13th in strokes gained off the tee (+0.507) and 18th in strokes gained on approach (+0.458). However, the short-game metrics were perhaps a career low, ranking 180th in strokes gained around the green (-0.514). With only two top-10 finishes to his credit and uncertainty surrounding his game and whether he'll even make it through the week, it's likely better to stay away in betting and DFS formats until we get a glimpse of what's to come for the Norwegian.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
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