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Viktor Hovland’s first win of 2023 came in dramatic fashion, thanks to a playoff win over Denny McCarthy.

With difficult conditions all week at Muirfield Village, the course firming up every day, it was a challenging test. After 72 holes, it was Hovland and Denny McCarthy who were tied for the lead, with the playoff taking place on the challenging 18th hole.

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Hovland had hit the fairway twice from four attempts over the week and he just found the short grass in extra holes. However, he is one of the best out of the rough and is second on the PGA Tour in rough proximity stats so either way, he would have liked his chances.

Throughout the week, Hovland hit 58% of greens in regulation and he found the putting surface in the playoff, albeit a long way away.

However, his putting is a clear standout in his game, this week averaging an incredible 25 putts per round with the Ping PLD DS 72, which was in fine form.

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He would leave himself a bit of work to do with the putt from long-range coming up seven feet short. But with nerves of steel, he would make it to win on the first extra hole becoming a champion for the first time in 2023.

Viktor Hovland WITB Memorial

Driver: Ping G425 LST 9° Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 661 TR X

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus 15° Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X

7-wood: Ping G430 Max 20.5° Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-PW) Shafts: KBS Tour-V 120 X

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (50-SS, 56-SS), Ping Glide 2.0 (60-TS) Shafts: KBS Tour-V 120 X (50-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)

Putter: Ping PLD DS 72 prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

topics

Viktor Hovland Ping PGA Tour WITB

James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor