Viktor Hovland Cards 63 to Take Two-Shot Lead at Honda Classic After Second Round

Viktor Hovland delivered a bogey-free masterclass at PGA National today, carding a scintillating 9-under-par 63 to seize a two-shot lead after the second round of the Honda Classic. The 29-year-old Norwegian recorded nine birdies in a round that showcased every aspect of his game, from precise iron play to confident putting that has him perfectly positioned for a weekend charge at his fourth PGA Tour victory.

Hovland's round began quietly with pars on the opening three holes, but he found his rhythm with consecutive birdies on the par-4 fourth and par-5 fifth holes. The former Oklahoma State star was particularly impressive on the challenging Bear Trap stretch of holes 15-17, where he made two birdies and a par to navigate what is traditionally the most difficult section of the course. "I felt really comfortable with my iron play today, and when you're hitting it close, the putts start to fall," Hovland said after his round. "This golf course demands precision, and I was able to execute my game plan perfectly."

The performance moved Hovland to 11-under-par for the tournament, two shots clear of a group of four players that includes defending champion Sungjae Im, rising American star Sahith Theegala, and veteran Adam Scott. Im, who shot a solid 68 to remain in contention for back-to-back titles, praised Hovland's round while acknowledging the challenge of chasing such a hot player. "Viktor is playing beautiful golf right now, and 63 around this place is really something special," Im noted. "I'll need to be aggressive over the weekend to catch him."

Hovland's success today was built on exceptional approach play, as he hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation while consistently leaving himself with makeable birdie attempts. His longest putt of the day was just 18 feet, a testament to the precision of his iron work on a course that punishes even slight misses. The Norwegian has been working with putting coach Phil Kenyon to improve his short game, and the results were evident throughout today's round as he converted seven putts from inside 12 feet.

The Honda Classic has historically been one of the PGA Tour's most challenging events, with PGA National's redesigned layout featuring narrow fairways, strategic water hazards, and lightning-fast greens that test every aspect of a player's game. Hovland's ability to navigate these challenges while maintaining such aggressive scoring demonstrates the maturity and skill development that has made him one of the tour's most consistent performers over the past three seasons.

As the tournament moves into the weekend, Hovland will be looking to convert his lead into his first victory since the 2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship. The Norwegian has been close to breaking through on several occasions this season, including a runner-up finish at the WM Phoenix Open and a T-3 at Pebble Beach. "I've been putting myself in position to win, and now I need to finish the job," Hovland reflected. "I love playing this golf course, and I'm excited for the challenge of the weekend." With ideal weather conditions forecasted for the next two days, the stage is set for an exciting finish to one of the PGA Tour's most prestigious early-season events.