Hovland Returns to Winner’s Circle and Gains Valuable Ryder Cup Qualifying Points

Viktor Hovland secured his first victory on the PGA TOUR since the 2023 Tour Championship after a remarkable comeback victory at the Valspar Championship, climbing86 places in the 2025 European Ryder Cup rankings.

The one-stroke victory over American Justin Thomas sees Hovland now placed in 19th with 386.60 points as he goes in search of a third consecutive Ryder Cup appearance.

Should he make Captain Luke Donald’s team at Bethpage, New York, he will be aiming to be part of the first European side to win in the United States since José María Olazábal masterminded the Miracle of Medinah in 2012.

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Hovland started the day in a tie for the lead and after two birdies in his first three holes the 2023 Ryder Cup winner would find himself two strokes ahead.

However, Thomas was enjoying a faultless round of golf and at one point held a three-stroke lead over Hovland when he dropped his seventh birdie of the day on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort.

PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Viktor Hovland of Norway reacts with his caddie Shay Knight after putting on the 18th green during the final round of the Valspar Championship 2025 at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 23, 2025 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

But Hovland courageously fought back with birdies on the 11th, 14th, 16th and 17th holes to take a two stroke lead down the last.

Despite a closing bogey, Hovland still took home the spoils to claim his seventh PGA TOUR win.

Speaking after his victory, Hovland said: “I honestly did not believe I could do it this week.

“I hit a lot of disgusting shots, but they just happened to go where I looked. Somehow, I was able to hit the good shots I can a lot more often.

"I think when JT made a birdie on 15 and he was three shots ahead, I still just felt really calm and I wasn't really stressed.

"I just hit good shots and made some putts and it was awesome."

Rory McIlroy currently occupies top spot in qualifying on 1,962.75 points, with Tyrrell Hatton (922.84 points), Rasmus Højgaard (813.43 points), Shane Lowry (779.43 points) Ludvig Åberg (650.13 points) and Thomas Detry (585.97 points) rounding out the automatic qualifiers.

The qualification process will end at the DP World Tour’s Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, which concludes on Sunday August 24, 2025.