HOVLAND LOOKS TO ROYAL DORNOCH FOR HIS FAVOURITE HOLE
RYDER Cup star Viktor Hovland has fond memories of playing the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch.
As a youngster setting his sights on the professional ranks, the Norwegian played for the Continent of Europe team against the top GB&I teenage talent in the Jacques Leglise Trophy when it was welcomed to the Highlands in 2015.
The teams finished 12.5 points apiece.
As one of the world’s most successful professionals, Hovland regularly plays the finest courses – and Royal Dornoch captured his imagination.
“The Scotsman” recently invited Hovland and several fellow pros, including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, to name their favourite golf holes in Scotland.
And the 28-year-old graduate of Oklahoma State University had no hesitation in opting for Whinny Brae, the teasing Par 3 6th hole on our Championship Course.
It’s 161-yards off the back tee, with banks of intimidating gorse and three pot bunkers on the left, and a steep slope to the right of the green luring wayward balls from their target.
Hovland said: “It’s so narrow and you have some gorse bushes there and I love how those links courses there have small raised up greens. It’s not super long but you are really nervous over the ball.
“That course is one of the best I have ever played.”
Check out “The Scotsman” interviews here: Top Golfers Reveal Their Favourite Holes in Scotland