Is Viktor Hovland Playing in the 2023 Open Championship?

As the 2023 Open Championship slowly creeps up, the hype for the event is on a all time high. With it being the last major of the season, the Royal Liverpool Golf Course at Hoylake is all ready to host the event from July 20-23.

Although it is a dream for many players, only a number of qualified people will be eligible to participate in the championship. The tournament has bought much attention in regards to the LIV golfers who will be participating in the championship for the first time after the merger. Cameron Smith, a LIV player who also happens to be last year’s winner, will also be seen defending his title . While the golfing community is bustling with news related to who’s playing and who’s not, one question remains unanswered: Is Viktor Hovland taking part in the upcoming championship? Let’s find out the answer.

Does Viktor Hovland qualify for the 2023 Open Championship?

Although Viktor Hovland is still waiting to claim a major to his name, the Norwegian professional golfer has been able to place in the top ten in the previous year’s competition. Moreover, he has four PGA Tour wins with the recent one at the 2023 Memorial Tournament which takes place annually at the Muirfield Village Golf Club, Ohio. He finished T7 at the 2023 Masters Tournament with a final score of 6 under overall 282, placed T19 at the U.S. Open at even par, and tied for second at the PGA Championship with Scottie Scheffler with a score of 273 (-7).

But will the Norwegian golfer be able to play at the 151 Open Championship? The answer is yes. He has made it into the list of players qualified to play at the event.

ALSO READ- Is Brooks Koepka Playing in the 2023 Open Championship?

There are certain guidelines according to which a player can be deemed eligible to play in the championship. Some of these include finishing in the top 10 at last year’s tournament, getting placed in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings, winning the US Open once in the last five years, and winning The Masters once in the last five years, among others. Hovland was able to make it into the top 10 at the 2022 Open Championship which led him to being able to make it into the list this year.

Hovland’s previous attempts at winning the Open Championship

The young golfer has been trying to win the major for two consecutive years. He took part in the tournament for the first time in 2021, where he finished at T12 settling for a 6 under overall 274. In the following year, he placed at T4 with a score of 274 (-14).

Although there is going to be an intense competition taking place, Hovland’s chances of lifting the Claret Jug look very good.

What do you think about Viktor Hovland’s chances of winning the Open Championship? Do let us know in the comments below.

Watch This Story- Despite being with LIV Golf for a year, Phil Mickelson successfully dominates the PGA Tour with his earnings and is behind only one golfer now