Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland on being called "the best player in the world"

Smylie Kaufman is joined by six-time PGA Tour victor, winner of the 2023 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, and the de facto MVP of the 2023 Ryder Cup - Viktor Hovland. Viktor covers everything from how he got hooked on death metal, to the transformative short game work he did this year with Joe Mayo, to his chip-in (with Smylie's call!) on the first hole at the Ryder Cup.
0:00 Ryder Cup songs + what he's been up to since
3:46 The origins of his golf game
12:08 How he got into death metal
14:47 College years at Oklahoma State
19:06 Early pro years and "Big Three" with Morikawa & Wolff
22:04 Short game work with Joe Mayo (video breakdown)
38:23 Smylie's prediction on Golf Digest pod
43:10 Smylie covering Viktor's Friday AM foursomes group at Ryder Cup
48:03 Playing with Ludvig Åberg
54:50 Says he's been watching clips from our show!
#golf #golfer #golfing #golfswing #golflife #golftips #viktorhovland #rydercup #rydercup2023 #teameurope #norway #deathmetalpromotion #oklahomastate #ludvigaberg

[@shaunmccormack465]

Soon to be #1 in the world, already #1 in our hearts

[@TonyTeeri]

My first time checking out The Smylie Show. Such a great interview by Smylie, being able to relate with Viktor through his own elite level background and go deep talking about technique. Really rare stuff in golf podcasts. Also the enthusiasm towards golf clearly comes through. Great stuff, will be following going forward.

[@TheSmylieShow]

we appreciate the kind words, and you subscribing! can promise the enthusiasm and depth will continue!

[@scottwheeler9786]

What a man .. took my kids to watch vik at wentworth and after the round when many didnt bother vik came out (what suited us fine😂) and signed my norway flag with pleasure and had a photo with my daughter , it made her day and she came away beaming and since then she caught the vik bug and i think shes become a bigger fan then me whats quite hard to top 😂 it might not seem a lot but these little gestures go a long long way 😊❤ such a humble guy

[@jarodshea]

What a stud. Followed his group during thursday at The Players this year and was just so impressive to watch. One of my favourites and seems like a total lad! Vik's a legend.

[@tombland7336]

Apologies for my late comment on this video, just watched it having downloaded it ages ago. Victor is a Legend. I challenge anyone to find a more down to earth, honest, likeable and modest person. I thought the format and how the interview flowed was brilliant. Smylie - you too are a legend. Your interview technique through your relaxed demeanor was excellent and your obvious knowledge of the game came shinning through, and your call on the first is totally forgivable! Kepp up the great work, best golf podcast I have seen for ages. In closing, a quick statement abd question if I may. I thought the commentating at the Ryder Cup, which was so unexpected, by Hunter Mahan was brilliant! Why has he not secured a permanent persition somewhere??? Thanks again. Tom Bland from South Africa.

[@TIGRWOODS]

What a great podcast. I’ll definitely be watching much more and yes, Viktor is not only a great player, but seems like a very humble, intelligent and just great guy!

[@jefffisherman3722]

Love the chipping segment! It’s awesome to see Viktor transform his chipping.

[@AdamMcCourt]

Unreal pod. Looking forward to future conversations

[@mikec.2314]

Hovy is the best - Such a great dude.

[@MPeckins1]

The chemistry between Viktor and you Smylie was the best I've experienced. Have a great game today and love you on the broadcasts as well.

[@ewillisgolf]

Love the Smylie show! And as a lifelong OSU fan followed Viktor for a long time. Great show fellas

[@robertmarshall8533]

Fantastic interview Viktor has to be the nicest guy in golf

[@user-hf1iz2yb6d]

I still remember ,you always happy with kids,so much smile,love ,fun and golf,I see ,I feel enjoy,I sing ,I pray,I shopping,and I still in hk,I am an Indonesian,love you best Victor...

[@ryanprobert5635]

Love how real Viktor keeps it. Good-bad-ugly. He's got no BS in him. Love Smylie talking swing changes too, as he knows what he's talking about without being a white-haired-knowitall. Great stuff. New subscriber.

[@MPeckins1]

So much talent both of you have. I love golf and seeing Viktor talk about his path to the best along with the footage of his chipping was amazing.

[@metalheads-golf]

OK ... I just have to ask ... after me saying this was a cool interview Viktor my fellow Norwegian 🇳🇴. I've tried in few none stalking ways to ge him on my channel and we would then mainly talk about all kind of band as most interview cover the golf part enough and I hope and think he will love the music on my Metalheads Golf KZbin channel. Awesome to see you have some good time with him. Awesome. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻 Stay metal dude.

[@user-hf1iz2yb6d]

Victor...love you very much for forever...

[@coeuznatas]

Awesome interview, Viktor is just the best! Wonder if Viktor loves Opeth, my favourite band?

[@metalheads-golf]

Opeth will likely be in his list. More likely the older heavier stuff. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻 Opeth was also already featured on my channel. Chose a really good.

[@colonelangus3826]

He has several playlists on Spotify and Opeth is on there. Just search by his name.

[@metalheads-golf]

@@colonelangus3826 Some great bands. Still I've got some gems for bands he might not know about just yet. 😁🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@nadineharley5744]

This is such a fantastic interview! A bit of everything as the saying goes! Viktor is such a cutie and his explanations regarding golf as simple and easy to understand 💜🧡🇿🇦

[@micksumo]

Great interview guys. Viktor always great value and really interesting and insightful.

[@ashleymittag2982]

One of my favorites!! I love watching him play!!

[@OG_Jack]

How good was that podcast? Those 55 minutes flew by; I didn't want it to end. Great job by all. Thank you!

[@TheSmylieShow]

we appreciate you watching - was just as fun to record and edit! 😁

[@OG_Jack]

@@jackiejay4556 No, but I'll check it out. Thanks!

[@user-hf1iz2yb6d]

Victor...i long time no see you,but I still see Jack and we pray just few minute,we wish we are best for forever,amien

[@elliotj999]

45:06 “Suck it Smylie” 😂 love this guy

[@TheSmylieShow]

😂😁

[@CraigalFun]

Nice one Smylie! Great interview 😊

[@royce2671]

Sick interview

[@user-qr1nv9qi5b]

Exceeding expectations ❤

[@davidpimm5094]

Very good pod

[@tominator3]

Viktor is a class act

[@DaddyFatherDad]

Love Viktor, Smiley did such a great job interviewing as well. I'm waiting for someone to ask him about his watches though, I gotta know how many AP's this guy has

[@tylermiller2802]

Flippin awesome

[@mgh3380]

That was fun to listen to guys, as I drive around SF area for work. Great job! Hands in tight, listen to death metal, got it!

[@Daflundaful]

Such a grounded guy!

[@robinneal2063]

No pretense with Vik Hovland...just a great, fun loving guy...oh and yeah a great golfer as well!!!

[@colehilton]

Have a great day!

[@molana8050]

finest man in earth ❤

[@nadineharley5744]

Yes! The whole package, humble, great smile, a very chilled guy, makes an effort to go back home and see his parents which for me is very important, doesnt live in a fancy city/town! 👌💜🧡🇿🇦

[@alihay4803]

I love Victor.

[@brucewallner6753]

Yeah, I was just watching Smiley on NBC said Safeway middle of the green the guy missed the green right? Why don’t we wait a little bit to make the call and let the shot play itself instead of jumping the gun

[@Pdubya69GS]

Vik getting to number one in the world soon

[@lrdr5404]

12:50 Blame the Swede for his music taste! Love it.

[@metalheads-golf]

It's so true many and even my top 5 metal bands are from Sweden. Løve it and still Meshuggah stil løng time nr 1. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@lrdr5404]

Out of curiosity, what’s up with what Viktor describes as “black metal”? Why might someone like him who generally loves metal dislike it?

[@metalheads-golf]

@@lrdr5404 There are in death metal so many sub genres and the Norge is in general very dark but still pretty straightforward. Exceptions there are there for sure. Swedish death maetal generalisation is the it is little more refined and has more subtleties. Both are very technical and ... well awesome... if you go down the rabbit hole you might get to that point where Viktor says "I get it now". 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@lrdr5404]

Thanks!

[@Dougie-]

@@lrdr5404 Black metal is pretty different from Death metal. I totally agree with him, Black metal is horrible. Although my taste of Death metal predates his by a few years.

[@ffuzzj]

what a stud

[@4757Extraterrestrials]

On fire ma guire

[@austinnolan30]

We need to get Smylie some new headphones.

[@TheSmylieShow]

😂

[@theskimaskboy]

Man it would be fun to Smoke pot with your players after a win lol

[@sandersson2813]

Not like an American not to know where somewhere is.😂 Great interview though Smylie.

[@user-vt1cq7xp3y]

Viktor Hovland with a little bit of stubble 🫠 haha! Great interview, super interesting.