Viktor Hovland will be playing in the final group on day three of the Travelers Championship alongside Scottie Scheffler.
Hovland has experienced a seriously welcome return to form at the Travelers this week.
However, his two rounds of 65 and 61 have only been good enough to put him two strokes adrift of Scheffler heading into the weekend at TPC River Highlands.
Scottie Scheffler has been in ominous form this week at the Travelers Championship.
His ball-striking has been supreme and he is ranked first in strokes gained putting.
Meanwhile, Viktor Hovland has been much more like his old self, with his precise iron play helping him get to 14-under par for two rounds.
Scheffler has admitted himself that his golf has been ‘dull’ so far in 2026. However, his performance in Cromwell, Connecticut, has been anything but that this week.
Viktor Hovland says how he feels about Scottie Scheffler pairing at the Travelers
Hovland has been struggling desperately with his game for around two years now.
So he will be delighted at the prospect of actually having a chance to win again this weekend.
Hovland spoke to reporters on Friday after his second-round 61 at TPC River Highlands and responded when asked if his mentality will change with Scheffler sitting at the top of the leaderboard.
“I mean, obviously he’s the best player in the world, and you know he’s not going to give anything up,“ Hovland said.
“But yeah, it’s just kind of excitement, to be honest, to have a chance to go up against a guy that’s playing some amazing golf, and should be a really fun weekend.“
Viktor Hovland must play aggressive golf to catch Scottie Scheffler
Hovland will be fully aware that he will need his best golf this weekend if he is to have any chance of winning.
Scheffler is an absolute machine when he’s in this kind of mood, and it would be a big surprise if he shot anything worse than a pair of 66s this weekend.
However, if he does falter, Hovland has to ensure that he’s right there waiting to capitalize.
Despite the fact that Scottie Scheffler is leading the Travelers Championship by two strokes, Viktor Hovland is still in a great position.
The Norwegian needs to be aggressive from the outset on Saturday. His driving has been much-improved so far this week and he needs to use that to his advantage.
Whether Scheffler actually gives him a chance remains to be seen, though.
