Hovland overhauls Thomas in a duel of 2025 Masters contenders
VIKTOR’S VICTORY: Hovland found a way to win again at the Valspar. (Joy Sarver Photos)
PALM HARBOUR, FL. — The PGA Tour’s four-tournament Florida Swing concluded Sunday with Norway’s Viktor Hovland capturing the Valspar Championship on Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in a duel with Justin Thomas.
Ten players were within a shot of the lead entering the last nine holes, but only Hovland and Thomas – two of the PGA Tour’s most popular players who have dealt with hard times lately — were in the hunt with three holes to go.
Thomas hasn’t won a tournament in over three years but had a three-shot lead on Sunday with three holes to go. Hovland’s world ranking had slipped from No. 3 to No. 19 – his worst ever—and he had missed the cut in his last three tournaments. But, he birdied Nos. 16 and 17 in Sunday’s climax and struggled to a bogey on the last hole that was still good enough to win.
“It’s unbelievable to see that I can still win,’’ said Hovland, who last won at the 2023 Tour Championship. “I had played poorly. When that happens there’s a lot of insecurity and doubts. I had no confidence. I was in a rut for a year and a half, but I think I’m stronger now because of it.’’
Thomas showed flashes of his old, sharp form in recent weeks, but not when the title was on the line on Sunday.
“I was having a blast,’’ he said. “I had plenty of chances to win this season, but nothing like this one. He birdied 16 and 17, but I did make it a lot easier on him.’’
JT’s DISMAY: A bad bunker shot on the 18th hole killed Justin Thomas’ chances to win again.
Anyway, the Valspar concluded the PGA Tour’s four-event Florida Swing. With only two stops in Texas remaining before the Masters, the Florida Swing usually is a good indicator of who might be contenders for golf’s first major championship of 2025. The Swing events are on challenging courses – the Champions Course at PGA National, Bay Hill, TPC Sawgrass and this week’s stop, Copperhead.
The latter has its feared Snake Pit – one of the toughest three-hole finishing stretches in golf. Hovland played them well, though he only needed a bogey on the final hole to win. Thomas didn’t. So, it’s tough to judge how ready either are for the Masters. Hovland used a Sunday 67 to finish his 11-under-par 273 for the 72 holes. Thomas shot 66 and was one stroke back.
When Valspar week started the main focus on that issue was Xander Schauffele, winner of the last two major titles in 2024. His play on Copperhead didn’t exactly rule him out of winning a third major in a row April 10-13 at Georgia’s Augusta National.
Could there be a happier champion than Viktor Hovland after his Valspar win?
Schauffele suffered a rib injury after completing his outstanding 2025 season with victories in the PGA Championship and the British Open. After undergoing an MRI Schauffele was diagnosed with an intercoastal strain and a small cartilage tear.
He tied for 30th in the The Sentry, an Hawaiian event that opened the PGA Tour season, and that sub-par showing led to a break from tournament golf until the Arnold Palmer Invitational, second stop on the Florida Swing in Orlando. He also played in The Players Championship before deciding at the last minute to make the Valspar his third tournament in a row.
Like Schauffele, Hovland was a late entry in the Valspar and wasn’t sure he’d tee off until Tuesday of tournament week.
“I just needed to get more reps,’’ Schauffele said. “Competition golf isn’t the same as trying to play golf at home. I’m determined to play better. A high bar was set after last year and – coming off that season – I expected a lot of myself.’’
He hasn’t met his expectations after the six-week layoff but his 5-under-par showing at Copperhead ended with a 66 on that pulled him in a tie for 12th.
“The Masters is demanding, and I knew this would be hard,’’ he said. “I feel like I’m cramming for a test when I’m out there. I feel like a kid again. I want to hit a million golf balls every night, but I’ve got to be smart about it.’’
Xander Schauffele is still searching to find the form that won him the PGA and British titles last year.
Len Ziehm
Len has been covering golf for over 56 years. He was the golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for 41 years and has been in the same role for the Daily Herald and several regional newspapers since 2009… Len is also a regular contributor to the Chicago District Golfer magazine and his travel pieces are regularly published on, Ignite Golf Network, eSouthernGolf, and the Ohio Golf Journal. His works for all publications are available at LenZiehmOnGolf.com. It is in its 15th year of operation and has been enhanced by the photography provided by his partner Joy Sarver, An inductee into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004 (for his reporting and youth coaching, not as a player), Len was also inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in 2019. He is also on the Advisory Board of the International Network of Golf, is a lifetime member of the Golf Writers Association of America and a member of the Golf Travel Writers of America.
Joy Sarver
The bulk of the pictures shown on Len Ziehm on Golf have been taken by Joy Sarver. “We have travelled extensively to develop our personal website.” Joy’s contribution to the visual side of the story helps to compliment the written word.
