Ask elite golfers what they crave the most—the initial response is generally getting into contention for a possible win. For those beginning their pro golf journey, the ladder-climbing begins with demonstrating the capacity to play weekend rounds.
The next rung on that ladder is getting into contention: demonstrating the wherewithal to show you have the skills to be among those at the top of the leaderboard.
But the elusive final rung is one that proves the most vexing to all but the most talented.
Finishing off a tournament and claiming the winner’s spot is the ultimate goal.
At last week’s Valspar event, Viktor Hovland trailed by as many as three shots late in the final round behind Justin Thomas. A win for Thomas would mark his first return to the winner’s circle since claiming his second PGA Championship in 2022.
Hovland was also trying to snap a winless streak dating back to when he claimed the Tour Championship in 2023. Coming into the event at Innisbrook, the track record for the talented Norwegian golfer was not exactly promising—three consecutive cuts missed.
Thomas looked to be in the ideal position after finding the fairway on the most demanding 16th hole at the Copperhead Course. Then inexplicably, he missed the green to the right with his short iron approach—bogey. At the 17th, he narrowly missed a 15-foot birdie at the long par-3.
When Thomas arrived at the demanding final hole, the situation had tightened dramatically—the once three-shot lead was completely eviscerated. Thomas knew securing a par-4 score on the difficult closing hole would likely mean a playoff to decide the title.
Then Thomas missed the fairway left and ended his round with another debilitating bogey. What looked so promising—going seven-under-par through the first 15 holes—ended with a resounding crash.
Interestingly, Hovland’s resurrection heroics came at the same 16th hole that had caused Thomas such torment. Hovland coolly hit the best approach of the day with a 7-iron to six feet. He made the putt and the lead that looked insurmountable down to a single stroke. Yet Hovland was hardly finished. At the penultimate hole Hovland’s approach finished the same distance that Thomas had faced just minutes earlier. However, Hovland sank the putt, and now the lead was his. The final hole bogey by Thomas gave Hovland enough breathing room that a closing bogey was immaterial.
Finishing off a tournament is the most demanding of situations in professional golf. This is especially so for those who have the 54-hole lead and realize they are just one round away from placing themselves in the record book as a PGA Tour title holder. Such situations can be no less pressure-packed for those who have won, but not in recent times, and are seeking a return to the winner’s circle.
For many, the thought of finally getting to the winner’s circle can cause an implosion. Doubts kept in check can quickly explode into lasting paralysis. Confidence can turn quickly with the results of a given shot, both good and poor.
The greatness of Tiger Woods came from more than just his considerable physical skills in hitting various golf shots. Under the greatest pressure, Woods was able to summon a laser-like focus, seeing himself through to the final hole with victory cemented.
Consider that in the first 14 majors Woods won, he either held the lead outright or was tied after three rounds. Woods never lost in that position—100 percent success. That’s beyond amazing.
Woods also owns a 55–4 record when holding at least a share of the lead after 54 holes, and a 44–2 record when holding the outright lead. Woods has only lost once when leading by more than one shot after 54 holes. Now, to be clear, the 49-year-old Woods, after undergoing several surgeries, no longer has the world-class golf game to be a factor.
Amazingly, Woods has successfully defended a title 24 times on the PGA Tour, more than any other player in history.
For those who have never won or have not won in some time, the seeds of doubt can grow as continued failures mount.
One can only wonder how Thomas will fare when he again finds himself in such a situation. Will the failure at Innisbrook prompt a different outcome the next time? Or will the memories of Valspar cause apprehension and growing doubt?
The level of expectations can weigh heavily on players. Consider the exemplary careers of Lee Westwood and Colin Montgomerie. Each won numerous events on various tours, but one thing was a constant with both of them—neither won a major championship even when being in contention to do so on several occasions.
Westwood has the most top-three finishes in a major—7 total—without ever winning one. Montgomerie added to his misery, besides futility in major events, by never winning a single PGA Tour event.
Closing out a pro golf tournament sets in motion a rush of emotions that need to be tamed. No preparation for such moments is comparable to an actual situation. Tom Watson was labeled a choker in major events after crumbling in the final round in 1974 and losing a three-shot 36-hole lead in the 1975 U.S. Open.
Watson overcame those failures and rose to the pinnacle of the sport by vanquishing Jack Nicklaus at the 1977 Masters and during their epic “Duel in the Sun” at Turnberry in The Open Championship.
Next month’s Masters at Augusta National Golf Club will inevitably raise a question that has dogged likely tournament favorite Rory McIlroy for quite some time—can he finally end his 10-plus major-less streak? McIlroy has come close to adding a 5th major win, but, thus far, has failed to do so.
At last year’s U.S. Open, McIlroy appeared to be in total command until missing from three feet at the 16th and then doing similarly from 6 feet at the final hole. McIlroy’s meltdown caused him to abruptly bolt from Pinehurst as the frustration simply overwhelmed him. How will McIlroy fare should he again be in contention at a major where a victory could well be the catalyst for him to win several more? There’s no way to answer that.
Does the scar tissue from years past still remain etched in his memory?
After Arnold Palmer won his 7th major title with a fourth Masters green jacket in 1964, it appeared more majors were likely to happen for the 34-year-old. But none ever came. And nothing memorialized the King’s tragic failure more than losing a seven-shot lead with just nine holes to play against Billy Casper in the 1966 U.S. Open.
Viktor Hovland’s golf game seemed to be on an unending ascension when he won the Tour Championship in 2023. The 2024 season was a clear step back. Hovland missed the cut in three of the four majors. The 2024 season provided only two top 10 finishes in 16 total appearances.
The Valspar win could well be the launching pad for the 27-year-old to put into motion a momentum that secures his first major title in 2025. Confidence can be contagious—so can defeat.
What road will Hovland and Thomas travel for the balance of the year? No question, past performance is no guarantee of future success.
Closing out tournaments requires the consummate combination in blending physical talent and mental toughness. One without the other is meaningless.
Unlike team sports, in golf there are no timeouts—no substitutions to be taken—no escape from the cauldron. The player and caddie are on an island all alone and only have one another to sort through matters.
It’s been said that when choppy seas happen, one quickly finds out the skills of a sailor. Every week, pro golf provides such testing situations.
The old adage remains ever on point: It’s not where you start that counts, but how you ultimately finish.
