{"id":91182,"date":"2019-06-20T09:43:58","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T07:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mygolfway.com\/?p=91182"},"modified":"2019-06-20T09:44:49","modified_gmt":"2019-06-20T07:44:49","slug":"ping-signs-viktor-hovland-former-world-1-amateur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygolfway.com\/en\/ping-signs-viktor-hovland-former-world-1-amateur\/","title":{"rendered":"PING – Signs Viktor Hovland, former world #1 amateur"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"June 20, 2019 – Viktor Hovland<\/strong>, the most recent world #1 amateur, has signed an equipment contract with PING<\/strong><\/a>, the company announced yesterday. Hovland, who tied for 12th<\/sup> at last week\u2019s U.S. Open in setting the record for the lowest 72-hole score (280) by an amateur in the event\u2019s history, is making his debut as a PING staff pro at this week\u2019s Travelers Championship.<\/p>\n

While a decorated player for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys<\/strong>, where he was a three-time All-American, Hovland won the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, earning him an invitation to this year\u2019s Masters and U.S. Open. He took full advantage of his Masters appearance, winning low-amateur honors, after which he rose to world #1 amateur. By finishing low amateur at the U.S. Open, he became the first player in more than 20 years to hold the distinction of being low amateur in both events in the same year.<\/p>\n

Hovland\u2019s collegiate career culminated with the 2019 Ben Hogan Award<\/strong>, given annually to the top men\u2019s college player while taking into account all amateur competition in the past 12 months. He won three collegiate events and finished with a 68.59 scoring average during his final year at Oklahoma State. He was a member of the school\u2019s 2018 NCAA Championship winning team.<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old is from Oslo, Norway, a fact that brings great joy to the Solheim family, the owners of PING whose roots are traced to Bergen, Norway, the birthplace of PING founder Karsten Solheim<\/strong>. Hovland\u2019s resum\u00e9 includes a win at the 2014 Norwegian amateur championships, and he\u2019s been building his credentials ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cViktor\u2019s connection to Norway makes the relationship even more special. The country has been fully behind him since he burst onto the scene as a young junior, and he\u2019s continued to impress on so many levels,\u201d<\/em> said John K. Solheim<\/strong>, PING President and Karsten\u2019s grandson. \u201cHe\u2019s polite, humble and always smiling. His talent is unbelievable and he\u2019s already amassed a great career. His performance at Pebble Beach last week was a spectacular way to end his amateur career. We\u2019re excited to watch his professional journey unfold. I know my grandfather would be honored to have a Norwegian golfer of Viktor\u2019s character and talent representing PING.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cJoining the PING staff is really exciting for me as I\u2019ve always had tremendous respect for the company and what it represents,\u201d<\/em> said Viktor Hovland<\/strong>. \u201cThe technology behind the equipment and the service they provide allows me to focus on getting better and not worrying about my equipment. The Norwegian connection is also really cool. Karsten Solheim and his family have done so much for the game of golf. Their support of Oklahoma State\u2019s team and their role in developing Karsten Creek are just a couple of examples of the wonderful things they do for golf. I\u2019m honored to be part of their golfing family and look forward to working with them as I begin my professional career.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hovland\u2019s relationship with PING began three years ago at Karsten Creek Golf Club<\/strong>, Oklahoma State\u2019s home course named in honor of Karsten Solheim, whose family was a major contributor to the development of the facility in 1994. Oklahoma State is part of PING\u2019s College Golf Program, which has been supporting schools around the country since the mid-1970s.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been impressed with Viktor since we first met him when he was a freshman at Oklahoma State,\u201d<\/em> said Chance Cozby<\/strong>, PING\u2019s Vice President of Sports Development. \u201cDuring his time in Stillwater, he played PING equipment at various times and we continued to keep in touch with him through our regular visits to the school. When it became clear he was going to turn professional this summer, we identified him as someone who would be a perfect fit for our staff. We had a very productive testing session with him at Karsten Creek this spring, which ultimately led to where we stand today. We are extremely pleased Viktor is joining the PING staff.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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An all-star collegiate career and he’s just getting started. \ud83d\udc40 Welcome to the family. #PlayYourBest<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4LmtsixOgH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PING GOLF (@PingTour) 19 de junio de 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n