'Devastatingly Bad At Chipping' - Chamblee Gives Scathing Hovland Report
Chamblee didn't hold back when talking about Hovland's chipping
Viktor Hovland and playing partner, Rory McIlroy, put on an exhibition of golf on Saturday at the 150th Open Championship, as both men pulled away from the pack on Moving Day at St Andrews.
Holding a four shot buffer from a congested leaderboard, both Hovland and McIlroy start four shots ahead going into the final day on the Old Course. However, despite the incredible golf, Brandel Chamblee, who isn't afraid to speak his mind, thinks that Hovland needs to avoid a certain aspect of his game, with the Golf Channel Analyst stating that the Norwegian is "devastatingly bad at chipping."
FACTS ABOUT VIKTOR HOVLAND
Speaking on Live From The Open, the 60-year-old explained: "The greens here are so big and the surrounds are cut so tight that you can go through this entire week and not have to chip. If he misses a green tomorrow where he is short-sided and he has to go over a bunker, then we're leaning in because he is so devastatingly bad at chipping. He's the worst chipper, by far, on the PGA Tour.
"You go back to 2004 and you can only find three players who have ever chipped worse at any part of their career than what Viktor Hovland is doing right now. He's a sublime ball-striker, the question is will he have to chip tomorrow?"
Could Chamblee have a point? Well, a quick look at Hovland's PGA Tour stats shows that he is definitely not a strong chipper, by PGA Tour standards, with 24-year-old ranked outside the top 200 for Strokes Gained: Around The Green. As well as Strokes Gained, he sits outside the top 150 for a number of other short game statistics.
However, this is one of the game's biggest stars, a player who, in his short time as a professional, has claimed three PGA Tour wins, as well as two DP World Tour victories. He has also been knocking on the door of a big result in a Major as, rather surprisingly, he hasn't claimed a top 10 in any of his Major starts.
This week, Hovland has been phenomenal tee-to-green, with the Norwegian rarely missing a fairway or green. What's more, if he has missed the dancefloor, he has gotten up-and-down frequently, with the 24-year-old only carding four bogeys throughout 54 holes, some shooting around St Andrews where pin positions have been tight to say the least.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Lotte Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
Grace Kim defends her title as the Hawaii event offers and increased payout for the 2024 edition
By Mike Hall Published
-
What Are Tommy Fleetwood's Stock Yardages?
The English star is one of the best drivers on the PGA Tour - but how far does Fleetwood hit every club in his bag?
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The DP World Tour Play-Offs section of the season begins with the first of two elevated events to decide the Race to Dubai champion
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Much Money Rory McIlroy Has Made Every Year On The PGA And DP World Tours
Rory McIlroy is one of the highest paid golfers in the history of the sport - but how much has he won each year on the PGA and DP World Tours?
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Did Rory McIlroy Forecast ‘Cutthroat’ PGA Tour Changes?
The PGA Tour is set to vote on several key changes to the circuit - including the reduction of field sizes, which McIlroy called for earlier this year...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Jon Rahm And Ludvig Aberg Among Big Names Missing Abu Dhabi Championship As Rory McIlroy Headlines Field
The entry list for the first DP World Tour Play-Offs event is in, with the top 70 teeing it up at Yas Links next week
By Elliott Heath Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Showdown: Date And Course Set For Las Vegas TV Match Featuring McIlroy, Scheffler, DeChambeau And Koepka
More details on the venue and date for the made-for-TV contest featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have been released
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Sees Tours 'Doing Their Own Thing For The Foreseeable Future' As Talks Over Future Of Men's Pro Game Continue
The four-time Major winner thinks there could be progress in the talks by the end of the year, but that it could be some time until the main circuits come back together
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Don't Think Bob's Too Impressed' - Watch MacIntyre's Reaction As Rory McIlroy Drives The Green
Robert MacIntyre was clearly unimpressed as Rory McIlroy drove the green on a par four at Kingsbarns, as he was just lining up a putt at the time
By Paul Higham Published