After the Valpar victory, is you opposing Victor Hovland’s next masters?
Getty Images
control each week For the unjustified thoughts of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest themes in this sport, and join in the conversation by tweeting us to us in @golf_com. This week, we discuss Victor Hovland’s victory, Justin Thomas’s close call and look at the possible stories of Cinderella’s masters.
Victor Hovland defeated Justin Thomas from winning the Valsspar championship on Sunday, his first victory since he won the BMW championship and the Tour championship again to return in August 2023. It had been a fight for him since then, and he lost his last three cuts this week. What was the difference in Valsspar? And are you a believer he is back? Or should you see more?
Josh Sens, elderly writer (@joshsens): Hard is hard to believe that he is really turned when Hovland himself does not seem to think he is. With his acceptance, he is still hitting much of what he calls “disgusting” shots. But this week, he achieved his game beautifully, especially below the stretch, relying on his iron game and coming out in the herd of putter. I don’t want to minimize victory. Gaining any tournament is not a small feat. But golf is just very unclear – and Hovland itself seems so committed to constant interference – to use this week as a predictor of what is coming next.
Zephyr Melton, Assistant Editor (@zephyrmelton): Echoing what the sense said above. Hovland will not be completely “back” until it feels like it has full control of its swing. Undoubtedly he won this week, but it does not sound like he is happy with his place. This week is a great step in the right direction, but the swinging of the hovland is far from a finished product.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@josh_berhow): He hit some really late key shackles – which is exactly where he is supposed to shine – to put his last two birds, but it is difficult to say that this will turn the tide given how transparent it was. His faith does not look high – he did only 80 weeks last – and He seemed surprised to win This thing. But a victory like this can do wonders, so maybe this is just the beginning of a strong verse and a little more confidence.
Thomas held a two -tier lead, but lost fairways and Bogeyed 16 and 18. As someone who has not won since May 2022, is he in favor of the title one more? Or do they belong to someone else’s honor – Homa? Spieth? etc – in PGA Tour?
sense: Thomas may be in a drought of victory, but he has also won more times (15) than any other player besides Rory since 2016. Getting this close should feel promising for him at some level. I would give the “honor” Spieth, who has been without a win for even longer than Thomas, and has fallen controversially further from his peak than his good friend.
Melton: JT may be in a drought without a win, but his game is in a much better place than Homa and, to a lesser extent, spieth. I’m sure he would better hold a trophy tonight than to throw in “what-fiS”, but he is not as lost as the two others. The next JT victory feels close.
Berhow: I would argue that Homa needs it more now, as he is currently in a very similar place to Victor (before winning Sunday). Thomas and Spieth have winning strips that lie a little longer than Homa, though Thomas looks close. Few boys have the power of fire he does when he is. He barely made the cut on Valspar and fought at the top of the manager’s table. I think good things are coming for it.
Who had the best moment-or sharper-wrath management management in the Vlachspar? Patter Patton Kizzire’s Putter or Adam Hadwin’s sprayers?
sense; Kizzire Punt Punt was a new action. At least, I would never have seen one as before. But for comedy and Comeuppance Keystone Cop, I give the Hadw knot causing the sprayer’s anger.
Melton: Punt Punt was a great theater, but of course some embarrassing behaviors coming from an experienced tour tour. Hadwin’s sprayer looked more than bad luck than anything else. I will give a dear mention of spieth By releasing an aggressive F-bomb Saturday. He got the value of his money with him.
Berhow: PPP – Patton Punt Punt – had impressive dependent time. He will scold that more times than not. If you are going to make a buckle, you better make good contact. He did. Hadwin was definitely more embarrassing.
The oscillation in Florida is officially finished. What did you learn?
sense: That Rory Mcilroy will win the masters. (or not).
Melton: Rory is still a dog and Russell Henley will be on the US Ryder Cup team. Plus, I learned who Joe Highsmith was!
Berhow: Scottie Scheffler is not yet 100 percent after hand damage. When will he be, and how much can he earn when it is not 100 percent? These are questions that we have no answer yet.
We will get into the Masters Stories and choose more in the coming weeks, but with a hat to march dementia, who is your early Cinderella choice for Augusta National?
Sense: I would not call it a choice of Cinderella, but Joaquin Niemann, Livi’s hottest player this season, would be counted as something of a growing victory.
Melton: I need to see a ball 20 in a major from Niemann (he still doesn’t have one!) Before I start choosing it. I will continue to show love with Russell Henley. Two top 10 to catch last season and an api already win this year. As they say, he is in tendency.
Berhow: I love Niemann in Augusta, but since he has already been taken, as for Keegan Bradley as a long shot? It has not lost a cut in seven starters this season. Five times, he has been 20 or better. Not a ton of success in Augusta, but he has completed T22 and T23 in his last two starts. There is a lot to like for someone you can find at +18000 to win. Plus, Bradley’s pretending would make the ryder Cup liquid captain stories.
