Viktor Hovland Makes Rare Albatross in Ryder Cup Practice Round

The Ryder Cup hasn’t even officially started and Viktor Hovland is already electrifying the crowds in Rome.

During Thursday’s final practice round, the Norwegian pulled out a 3-wood on the tee at the par-4 5th hole at Marco Simone.

From 302 yards, Hovland took a lash, aiming directly at the green. The shot landed on the putting surface, took one hop, and then rolled into the center of the cup for a rare albatross.

According to onlookers, the par-4 ace came from Hovland’s second practice tee shot on the hole. But judging by the fan reaction, that detail was irrelevant.

🚨 VIKTOR HOVLAND MAKES A HOLE-IN-ONE ON A PAR 4! #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/OnsEG19UC6
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 28, 2023

Hovland’s Team Europe playing partners Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose and Ludvig Aberg all ran to their teammate in celebration as the surrounding spectators erupted.

VIKTOR HOVLAND JUST MADE A HOLE-IN-ONE ON THE PAR-4 5TH AT MARCO SIMONE! 🤯pic.twitter.com/EXvwoK9rd0
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 28, 2023

The 5th hole is one of a few potentially reachable par-4s at this year’s Ryder Cup venue, where players will have a risk-reward decision to make. No. 5 is particularly treacherous, as there is a water hazard left of the green.

Hovland will make his second Ryder Cup appearance for Team Europe this week. The match-play competition kicks off at 1:30 a.m. ET on Friday Sept. 29.