– Very satisfied – VG

– I hit very well today. It was a lot of wind early and we were really just trying to hit the green, which I managed. I think I only missed the green twice, says Hovland to the organizer.

By “hitting the green”, Hovland means that he calculates a maximum of two putts, so to “hit the green” on a couple of three-holes, it must happen on the first stroke.

After the first round of the traditional Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico, Hovland is in shared third place, four strokes below par. Leaders Joaquin Niemann and Emiliano Grillo are one stroke ahead.

On the first eleven holes he was on par – before he clinked with four under on the last five, including a solid “eagle” (two under par) on hole five. He got a “bogey” (one over par) on hole eighteen, but started on hole ten.

Did you get this treat from the Houston Open?

– They set up the tee with the wind in the back on hole five, so I realized that it was an achievable hole. With the par 5 and par 3 holes, there were good opportunities to get some “birdies” (one under par), but it does not come by itself, Hovland analyzes to the organizer.

Hovland has finished 13th (US Open), respectively, 12. (The CJ Cup), 47th (Zozo Championship) and 15th (Houston Open) in their last four PGA tournaments, but have now had a good opportunity to once again make it into the top ten.

– I have done a lot right since we started up again, but it has always been one part of my game that has failed. It has stopped me from fighting at the top. I feel that I have improved all aspects of my game lately, something I am very happy with, it’s just a matter of putting it together, says Hovland.

He adds that the irons work better now than before. Day two of the tournament takes place tomorrow, and you can follow Hovland on Eurosport Norway from 8 pm.

PS! Kristoffer Ventura went his round one stroke over par and is in a shared 69th place. Thus, he is in danger of not making the cut on Friday if he does not play up.