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The Resort King

Viktor Hovland leaning all the way into the 'Resort King' narrative is why Viktor Hovland is the best

December 05, 2022

First it started as a little joke. Then it became a trend to watch. Now, it's officially a hashtag narrative. All of Viktor Hovland's PGA Tour victories—three of them official ones and two of them unofficial—have come on resort golf courses. Wait, what?

It's true. With his second straight Hero World Challenge win on Sunday, Hovland truly is "The Resort King." The two Hero wins came at the Albany Resort in the Bahamas, while his maiden PGA Tour victory way back in 2020 came at the Puerto Rico Open, which is hosted by Coco Beach Golf Course, a resort course in Rio Grande. And finally, his other two official wins also came in back-to-back fashion at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, which takes place on the El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course. 

Is it the sea air? Does Hov like to chill by the pool with a cocktail after the round? Does the laid-back vibe of a beachfront resort play to his strengths? Whatever it is, it works for the former U.S. Amateur champion, and it's now going to be a narrative that sticks to him like glue. Some players might scoff at such a thing, or give a cliche answer when asked if there is anything to it. Hovland? He's leaning all the way in, posting a picture of himself after winning the Hero with the caption "love me some resorts":

Another reason Hovland is one of the good guys. This tells you not only that he's heard and seen of the "resort king" narrative, but that it doesn't bother him in the least. And let's be real, he's going to eventually win at a place that isn't a resort (he already has, twice, on the DP World Tour). At a place that doesn't have paspalum or bermuda grass or sea air or a slight breeze off the ocean. Until then, the Resort King will stick with him and he's fine with that, apparently. He'll also answer to "The Animal Trophy King" for those wondering: