Viktor Did It, Rickie Aced It; Is 2023 Ryder Cup’s Historic Viktor Hovland Moment a Rip-Off of Rickie Fowler’s Bygone Memory?

Can you remember the last time you saw an “I’m-that-guy-in-the-background” meme? It’s a popular meme template where couples are busy doing what couples do, and a guy will be somewhere in the background, alone and looking sad. 

Well, something similar, but not exactly the same, happened after the European Ryder Cup team grabbed their victory in a heavily dominated showdown. Viktor Hovland became the center of attraction for a while during the squad celebrations. However, he has done nothing that Rickie Fowler hadn’t already done, with much more success.

Viktor Hovland and his disarming smile

After the effortless win that the squad experienced, Viktor Hovland and the others were celebrating the moment. A photo session was on. One of the pictures called for a conventional couple routine. The players grouped with their partners and rejoiced at their proud moment with a kiss. 

Viktor Hovland was smiling with one of the vice captains, Jose Maria Olazabal by his side, while the rest of the squad were kissing their partners for the picture. Although it could have been an awkward moment, Hovland handled it without being conscious about it. Hovland and Olazabal had their arms across each other’s shoulders and shared their joy. 

Golf Digest shared the picture on their Instagram page, with the caption, “Never change, Viktor. 😂.” The comment section was filled with women fangirling over Hovland and writing about how they would be happy to date him. Kisses, proposals, and compliments flew in for the Norwegian youngster. 

Coming back to the picture, it reminds us of a very similar incident that happened a few years back in the US squad, when the Americans had tasted a victory after an eight-year-long drought. And in that case, it was Rickie Fowler who was the awkward single in the group. 

Read more: ‘Disappointed With My Performance’: Moments After Ryder Cup Win, Rory McIlroy Makes a Dark Confession About His Ugly Past

The Swag master, however, turned it to his benefit and redirected all attention toward himself. The year was 2016, and the occasion was a massive win for the US squad against the Europeans.

This is how Rickie Fowler took over the internet

The backdrop was quite the same, of course. The US team had won the 2016 Ryder Cup and was celebrating. And in a ceremonious wives-and-girlfriends’ picture, the squad coupled up and posed for the picture. 

The players and their dates were standing on steps and in the middle of the crowd was our man Rickie Fowler, alone and lost. He didn’t look lost, though. As his teammates were busy kissing their partners, Fowler did a shrug and topped it up with a face shrink. 

His expression was a perfect blend of swag and innocence, and he won the hearts of millions of golf fans. The picture went viral across the web and became a major social media moment for the then-27-year-old.

Who do you think did the single guy in the group better? Hovland or Fowler? Tell us in the comments!

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