31 December 2023 , 17:09
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Jon Rahm knows exactly what it takes to become the world's No. 1 golfer, and the Spaniard believes one man who can also reach the top is his European Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland.
The previous two years have seen a three-way battle at the top of the world rankings, with Rahm exchanging top spot with Rory McIlroy and current world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. The man who sits just behind the leading three is Hovland, and Rahm has backed the Norwegian to stake his claim heading into 2024.
Speaking to the Subpar Podcast back in November, Rahm was asked who he felt could be the next star to break into the world No. 1 spot for the very first time.
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He responded: "Viktor Hovland. Viktor should be, in my mind, the one that’s ahead. There’s a lot of players with potential to do it, but based on his progression the last few years I think he’d be the clear one. Anybody seeing this , and as a fan of Viktor, they would understand.”
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Many may tend to agree with Rahm's prediction, with Hovland enjoying plenty of success in 2023. In recent years the 26-year-old has announced himself as one of golf's hottest prospects, and he more than staked his claim among the world's best in 2023.
Hovland landed his fourth PGA Tour title in April, as he prevailed in a playoff against Denny McCarthy at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. The European then finished inside the top-20 at all four of golf's major championships, including a tie for second in May's PGA Championship.
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Viktor Hovland won the FedEx Cup in 2023 (AP)He then signed off his season in style, winning back-to-back playoff events at the BMW Championship and Tour Championship to become the 2023 FedEx Cup champion. Hovland's year was not done though, as he then turned his attention to the Ryder Cup.
Despite being on home soil, the Europeans faced a tough task against their American rivals after falling to a record-breaking defeat in Wisconsin two years earlier. On the back of his FedEx Cup win, Luke Donald was relying on Hovland to be one of his starring players, and he did not disappoint.
The Norwegian dazzled alongside his Scandinavian teammate Ludvig Aberg in the foursomes, with their highlight coming on day two of the event. The European pair dismantled world No. 1 Scheffler and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, to win their Saturday morning match 9&7, the biggest winning margin at any Ryder Cup.
Hovland was trusted to compete in all five sessions, and helped earn three-and-a-half points for his team on the way to their 16.5-11.5 triumph in Rome. His weekend in the Italian capital once again showed why he was one of the planet's best players, and there is no doubt the 26-year-old has plans to become the best heading into 2024.