Viktor Hovland Posts a Bogey-Free 65, Shares Lead After Opening Round of The Masters

Viktor Hovland showed out and made a little history in Augusta on Thursday, and he did so in style.

The former Oklahoma State golfer turned in a 65 in the opening round of The Masters. He shares the opening-round lead with Brooks Koepka (who started off with a four-putt double-bogey) and Jon Rahm.

Hovland eagled on No. 2 and then added five birdies the rest of the way. When he got in trouble, he saved par, finishing with a bogey-free round. Hovland, Rahm and Koepka’s shooting -7 tied for the most scores of 65 or lower in a single round of the tournament.

Before he set the course on fire, he turned heads with his attire.

Hovland admitted his shirt was “a little bit out there” but he didn’t take credit for his wardrobe choice.

“I had nothing to do with it,” Hovland said. “I just wear what they tell me to wear. But I think I’d rather take these than the pink pants I had [in the first round] last year. So we’re making progress.”

The 65 marks Hovland’s lowest round at The Masters. He was the low amateur at the 2019 Masters when he shot a 280, breaking an amateur record set by Jack Nicklaus back in 1960. He finished T21st in the 2021 Masters.

In his last major, last year’s Open Championship, Hovland owned a 54-hole co-lead before tying for fourth. His group, which also includes five-time Masters winner Tiger Woods, tees off at 11:54 a.m. CST on Friday.