THE 150TH OPEN

July 17, 2022

Viktor Hovland

Mixed Zone

Q. Viktor, can you take us through the last stretch, the emotions and the effort.

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Yeah, it was a little anti-climactic after the day yesterday. I was expecting I was going to hang in there for a little bit longer. Yeah, just didn't have it today. Didn't hit it very good and didn't putt as good as yesterday. So it was a frustrating day.

Q. Was it the putting again? Was it kind of the thing that lacked at the end to make it happen?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: I mean, a little bit, but frankly, I just didn't hit it good enough. I maybe could have gotten a little bit more momentum if I made a few more putts early, but at the same time, I just made a few too many mistakes and just didn't get close enough to the pins to make any more birdies.

Q. It's not the first time you were in contention. Feeling the pressure at St Andrews, with Rory, with everything, how did it feel?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: It's cool. It's what we practise for. Just a little disappointed I didn't have it today, but it was a great experience today and obviously yesterday as well. Just the whole week was a good learning experience, and I feel like I'm going to, yeah, get better from it.

Q. Are you gutted for Rory as well? Obviously he's someone that you've played with twice and you know his history.

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Yeah, obviously with not just his results this year, but he's come awfully close and played really well this year. But at the end of the day, he keeps playing the way he's doing, he's going to get one pretty soon, I think at least. Still, yeah, it's tough. You've got to finish it off.

Q. What did you say to him at the end there? I saw you had a word. What did you say?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: It was just like, hey, it was a pleasure playing with you the last couple days. We'll get 'em next time.

Q. We talked about momentum yesterday. As much as you had it yesterday with Rory together, how much did you feel you didn't have it today? When during the round did you have that feeling?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: I mean, I'm always trying obviously. I hit some good shots into 1, 2, and 3. Didn't make any of those. But I was still fine because I was in a good spot.

The three-putt on 4 hurt a little bit. Then the wind switched on 5. I thought I hit a good drive, and I saw the wind just blew it left, and I was in a really bad spot there.

1-over par through five holes is just not a good spot to be in. And it seemed like every pin coming in, we were just in a really tough spot. So it's hard to get close to the pins. When you're already over par, it just becomes a grind.

Q. Did it feel a little flat out there? The crowd felt nervous because you weren't making birdies. What was the energy like in your group?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: They were a lot louder in the beginning compared to the end, that's for sure. The crowds were still pretty rowdy.

Q. One last thing in English. What about Cam Smith as the winner? His game and what he's accomplished.

VIKTOR HOVLAND: I've played with Cam a lot. He's obviously super impressive. I wouldn't say he's -- he doesn't have that wow factor when you look at him. It's just unbelievable how he's able to just get the ball in the hole. He'll hit a bad shot and just doesn't seem to bother him because he knows that he's going to hit a great next shot. That's what golf is all about. He's a worthy champion for sure.