GENESIS SCOTTISH OPEN

July 7, 2026

Viktor Hovland

The Renaissance Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Viktor, obviously not long since you claimed your playoff victory over Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers but does the fact that we are playing links golf force everyone to reset and take the challenge that's in front of them?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Every tournament we are all starting in scratch from some way but it does feel like my shoulders are lower, I'm a bit more relaxed, a bit more confident and don't have to show up here feeling like I have to find anything.

So that's a really good feeling. Definitely takes some toll, yeah, off of me a little bit.

Q. Looking back after your last win, you went through some difficult times. Now being back in the winner's circle, do you wish they didn't happen or do you think, you know what, I learned a lot?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Spending time like wishing things didn't happen I think is futile. I do think back but mostly to try to maybe learn something. Maybe I could have done some things different or anything that might help me in the future. But at the same time I do think this journey, if you can call it that, is only going to help me when it comes to just knowing what not to do, what to focus on.

I think it just kind of makes you know yourself a little bit better. Know what works for me, what doesn't work for me. I think that's just a good reminder to have, any ways, but obviously, you know, you don't always want to make mistakes to learn those lessons but here we are.

Q. This week marks two weeks of links golf, modern links. How much are you looking forward to getting out there and testing your game, and good prep for next week and the last major of the season?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Sure. I always look forward to this time of year. I got to spend some time in Norway last week. Played two tournaments in the U.K. Happy with another couple weeks at home. I just really like the summertime in Europe, spending some time over here. Yeah, I always look forward to this time of year, and links golf is something that we don't get to play a whole lot of but every time we play it, I always leave thinking, man, we should be doing more of this.

Q. Saw you hanging out with the Norwegian team during the World Cup. How much of a great experience was that?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: I showed up for the game the following day but it was a really cool experience. That was my first time ever watching a football game in person, and it was a great atmosphere.

And just seeing the sea of Norwegian jerseys doing the rowing, it was pretty special. Even we were in New York, pretty far way from home, and just seeing so many Norwegians all around time square and New York. It was a pretty cool experience.

Q. Having spent time around the fans, would you say the traveling support at the football or crowds at the Ryder Cup were louder?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Yeah, I mean, obviously nor week answer really like their football. We are big football fans. But at the same time, what's really cool to see is that any Norwegian that is doing well at anything, like we've had Jonas Abrahamsen and the Tour de France and when he was doing well; now everyone starts to cycle. Then Magnus Carlsson, when he's winning atmosphere tournaments, now people are starting to play chess. Casper Ruud playing tennis. Golf is really trending back home. You can really feel that patriotic support from back home any time any Norwegian athlete would do anything well. It's really cool to feel that.

Q. Fair to say the Norwegian team have exceeded expectation. How far do you think your boys can go this summer?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Man, I think I'm no expert analyst when it comes to football. But it does feel like even though this is a massive accomplishment for Norwegian football and just Norwegian sports in general, in a sense, we have already won. All of this is just a cherry on top.

But I think beating Brazil in the manner that it did, I think now they believed this they can beat anybody which is what they should believe and I hope we go all the way.

Q. Back to the tournament. This is your fifth consecutive start at this event, and first time we'll be playing the course in a different routing. What opportunities and challenges do you see the new setup presenting this week?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: Obviously we play the same golf course but at the same time do I think it adds a little bit of excitement. I think having a short par 4 kind of drivable and then 15, the short par 3, shortly thereafter, it makes sense to have those on the back nine leading up to the finish of this great event. It makes for a better finish. I think it's a good job, and I hope we get to see this most years going forward.