Oklahoma State’s Viktor Hovland wins Masters low amateur honor

Oklahoma State junior Viktor Hovland made history Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Hovland, the first Norwegian to play at the Masters, shot a 1-under par Sunday to finish the tournament at 3-under par to best former Arkansas standout Alvaro Ortiz by one stroke to earn the low amateur honor.

Hovland shot rounds of 72, 71, 71, 71 to tie for 32nd place overall at the first major championship of the year. He’s the first Cowboy golfer to be the low amateur at a major since Jordan Niebrugge at the 2015 Open Championship.

There are six players to win low amateur at the Masters then go on to win the tournament as a professional: Cary Middlecoff, Jack Niklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.

Hovland, the 2018 U.S. Amateur champion, will return to OSU where he’ll look to help the Cowboys repeat as NCAA champions.

Former Cowboys

Rickie Fowler was the highest-placing former Cowboy in a tie for ninth with a 10-under, three strokes behind winner Tiger Woods.

Charles Howell III tied with Hovland at 3-under for the tournament. Kevin Tway was one stroke back for a share of 36th and Alex Noren carded an 8-over to tied for 62nd.