So, if you’re refreshing your phone looking for a Viktor Hovland score today, you might be a little confused by what you’re seeing—or rather, what you aren’t seeing. It’s Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the PGA Tour is currently at Waialae Country Club for the Sony Open in Hawaii. But if you scroll through the live leaderboard, Hovland’s name is nowhere to be found.
He didn't miss the cut. He didn't withdraw. Honestly, he just isn't there.
While the rest of the pack is battling the Pacific trade winds in Honolulu, the Norwegian superstar has opted for a different start to his 2026 campaign. It’s a move that has left a few fans scratching their heads, especially since Viktor has historically been such a workhorse. But after a massive 2025 season where he basically cemented himself as the best ball-striker on the planet—including that incredible 3rd place finish at the U.S. Open at Oakmont—he’s earned the right to pick his spots.
Where is Viktor Hovland?
If you're hunting for a live score, you're going to have to wait another week. Hovland has officially committed to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which kicks off January 22.
It’s a Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour, and for Viktor, Dubai is like a second home. Remember 2022? He took down Richard Bland in a playoff there in one of the gutsiest finishes of his career. By skipping Hawaii, he’s clearly signaling that he’s prioritizing the global schedule and high-leverage events over the early-season PGA Tour grind.
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It makes sense. The guy is currently ranked #3 in the world. He doesn't need to chase FedEx Cup points in January.
Instead of grinding out pars at Waialae, he’s likely fine-tuning that revamped short game in Stillwater or already making the trek over to the Middle East. It’s a bummer for those of us who wanted to see him light up a par 70 this morning, but it sets the stage for a massive showdown next week against Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton.
The 2025 hangover and the 2026 mission
Why the light schedule to start the year? You've got to look at what he did last year to understand the "why" behind his current absence.
Hovland’s 2025 was a masterclass in consistency. He grabbed a win at the Valspar Championship in March (shooting an 11-under 273) and hovered around the top of the leaderboard in almost every major. But the physical toll of that swing change he’s been working on with Joe Mayo is real.
- U.S. Open: 3rd Place (+2)
- Masters: T21
- PGA Championship: T28
- The Open: T63 (His only real "bad" week)
By the time he got to the Ryder Cup in September, he looked a little gassed, even though he helped lead Europe to a solid showing. Taking a breather now suggests he’s focused on one thing and one thing only for 2026: a Major.
Expert analysts like Jason Sobel have already tabbed 2026 as the year of "The Leap" for Hovland. We aren't talking about a leap into the Top 10—he’s already there. We’re talking about the leap into the history books. To do that, you can't play 30 events a year. You have to be fresh for April.
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What to expect when he returns
When he finally puts a scorecard in his pocket next week in Dubai, expect the "total driving" stats to be through the roof.
The knock on Viktor used to be the chipping. "He can't play from the junk," they said. Well, that narrative is mostly dead. He spent the latter half of 2025 ranking in the top 15 for Strokes Gained: Around the Green. If that trend continues into 2026, he’s not just a top-five player; he’s the favorite every time he pegs it up.
He’s also become much more aggressive with the putter. In his last few starts of 2025—specifically at the DP World India Championship where he finished T6—he was gaining nearly 1.5 strokes on the field just on the greens.
Actionable next steps for fans
Since there is no Viktor Hovland score today, here is how you can stay ahead of his 2026 debut:
- Mark your calendar for January 22: That’s the opening round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Because of the time difference, if you’re in the states, you’ll be waking up to his scores early in the morning.
- Watch the Valspar defense: Viktor is the defending champ at the Valspar Championship (March 19-22). That will be his first major "target" on the PGA Tour this year.
- Monitor the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR): With Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy playing this month, Viktor might slide a spot or two while idle, but a win in Dubai would vault him right back into the conversation for World No. 1.
The wait is a bit annoying, sure. But for a player of Hovland's caliber, the "off-season" is where the Majors are actually won. He’s doing the work behind the scenes so that when he does show up on a leaderboard, he’s at the very top.