Golf is measured not only by strokes and trophies but also by values such as honesty and integrity. A recent example of this occurred during the 2021 Players’ Championship, a tournament with a $15 million purse, featuring Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland.
During his round, on the 15th hole, Hovland left his ball near the hole, marked it, and temporarily moved it to avoid interfering with Justin Thomas’ play. After finishing the round two strokes under par, Viktor calmly headed to his car, unaware that this action would have unexpected consequences.
Shortly afterward, his phone rang: it was his mother calling from Norway, worried and a bit alarmed. “Aren’t you going to be penalized for the 15th hole?” she asked, having seen the scene on television. Neither Viktor nor his coach understood what she meant… until they mentally reviewed the entire round. Upon reviewing the shot, Viktor and his coach realized that indeed, the ball had not been replaced in the exact same spot. Without hesitation, Hovland self-reported, and the officials added two penalty strokes to his scorecard, changing it from 70 to 72. Interestingly, those two strokes were exactly what caused him to miss the cut the following day.
This episode demonstrates that, in golf—as in life—there is something more important than winning: integrity and respect for the rules. Viktor Hovland’s honesty at a decisive moment in the tournament not only reflects his character but also inspires players of all levels to value the spirit of the game as much as its final score.