PGA Tour star Viktor Hovland outlines gripe: "I just think it gets a little silly"
PGA Tour star Viktor Hovland has explained why he is absolutely not a fan of long par-3s when it comes to major championship golf.
PGA Tour star Viktor Hovland has added his voice to a growing list of professional golfers who are not happy with the trend of having long par-3s at major championships.
Hovland and 155 others will head to Oakmont next month for the 2025 U.S. Open in Pennsylvania.
Other than thick rough and the famously fast and challenging greens that measure between 12 to 14 on the Stimpmeter, competitors will have to deal with the longest par-3 in U.S. Open history.
The 8th hole at Oakmont measures at 290 yards.
Disgraced Masters champion Angel Cabrera was the champion the last time the U.S. Open was staged at Oakmont.
That year, only 27 per cent of the field hit the green in regulation.
See here:
The 8th hole at Oakmont will be the longest par 3 in U.S. Open history at 290+ yards
— GolfN (@GolfNApp) May 20, 2025
Players hit this green in regulation only 27% of the time in 2007… pic.twitter.com/PHmpUEs1BI
Hovland told reporters before the Memorial at Muirfield Village he's yet to take a reconnaissance trip to Oakmont.
The Norwegian said he has seen videos of the rough and heard the greens were 'pretty fascinating'.
Asked about what awaits him at the 8th, Hovland referenced the par-3 16th at Quail Hollow that wreaked havoc at the PGA Championship two weeks ago.
The 223-yard par-3 - which features a green that requires a carry over water - had a scoring average of 3.394.
Hovland said he hit 3-iron and 7-wood across the week.
"You've [just got to be so precise back there," he said.
"Yeah, I mean, it just becomes hard. I just don't think when you have to make a hole that long, it just doesn't become that great.
"It just becomes like, okay, you got a certain target here and then you got to hit a shot around there and make a par and get out of there instead of a shorter par-3 that entices you to get close to it, but if you're a little bit off, you're either in the water or in a short-sided spot or if you bail out, yeah, you still have a tricky little putt.
"I just think all the best par-3s are under 200. You can maybe have it just over 200, but as soon as you start to take head covers off on par-3s, I just think it gets a little silly."
Watch his explanation here:
Viktor Hovland's great answer today about long par 3s pic.twitter.com/qkoThOz0sQ
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) May 27, 2025
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