Monday, March 24th, 2025 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition

Despite ‘disgusting shots’ and coaching changes, Viktor Hovland wins Valspar Championship

– by Adam Schupak / Golfweek

Per Adam: “Viktor Hovland tamed the Snake Pit, making birdies on two of the final three holes at the Copperhead Course to edge Justin Thomas by one stroke and win the 2025 Valspar Championship on Sunday in Palm Harbor, Florida…”

B&B POV: With a masterful closing stretch on Sunday, Viktor Hovland put a decisive end to his recent rough patch on the course. And left a flailing Justin Thomas in his wake.

Trailing by three shots on the back nine, Hovland surged ahead with three birdies in his final five holes, snatching victory from JT to capture the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort. The win marks the seventh PGA Tour title for the 27-year-old, a triumphant rebound after missing three consecutive cuts. He went from shooting 80 in the first round at the Players last week to besting the field Sunday. Now that’s some March Madness from the big Norwegian.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Tiger Woods posts photos with Vanessa Trump on social media, confirming relationship

– by David Dusek / Golfweek

Per David: “Less than two weeks after announcing on social media that he ruptured his left Achilles tendon while training recently and had surgery, Tiger Woods has made another announcement on social media, but it is not clear what, exactly, he’s announced…”

B&B POV: Stop the presses: Tiger is dating a hot blonde. With the last name Trump! Don Jr.’s ex and the mother of high school golf phenom Kai Trump, 17, have announced on social media that they are dating. Woot!

Now, if Tiger can land the mom, does Charlie have the game to land the daughter, a high school classmate?

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

What’s in the Bag: Viktor Hovland, Valspar Championship

– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys

Per Thomas: Viktor Hovland won the Valspar Championship, once again proving that Norwegian stoicism and a scorching hot putter are a dangerous combo. As for the clubs he used — technically, a whole set of them. But if you’re asking for the specifics, he gets paid to primarily play Ping, but this week he teed it up with three equipment brands and some oldie-but-goodie woods.

Viktor Hovland’s Golf Gear

DRIVER: Ping G425 LST (9 degrees), with Fujikura Speeder 661 TX shaft

FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SIM (15 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X shaft

IRONS: Titleist U•505 (3), with Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Hybrid Xshaft, Ping i210 (4-PW), with KBS Tour V 120X shafts

WEDGES: Ping s159 (50, 56 degrees), Ping Glide 2.0 (60 degrees), with KBS Tour V 130 X shafts

PUTTER: Ping PLD DS 72 custom

BALL: Titleist Pro V1

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

FEATURED GOLF DEAL OF THE WEEK

Get ready for Augusta! Receive 15% off with code: B&B15

The Masters is right around the corner! Snag some of this sweet swag from Pins & Aces so you can celebrate in style while you’re stuffing your face with pimento cheese sandwiches.

SHOP AUGUSTA GEAR

The 2025 Valspar Championship Winners & Losers

– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys

Per Thomas: With his Valspar Championship victory on Sunday, Viktor Hovland snapped a winless streak stretching back to the 2023 Tour Championship — and picked up a cool $1,566,000 in the process. That’s one way to shake off a slump.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Miguel Ángel Jiménez sinks short birdie for first Hoag Classic title

– by Matt Szabo / Daily Pilot

Per Matt: “Professional golfer Miguel Ángel Jiménez is a cigar aficionado. He enjoyed an Arturo Fuente victory cigar on Sunday at Newport Beach Country Club, after smoking the competition at the Hoag Classic…”

B&B POV: Miguel Angel Jimenez, truly golf’s most interesting man alive, was victorious Sunday in the Hoag Classic hosted in our backyard at Newport Beach C.C. Playing with local fan favorite Fred Couples in the final pairing didn’t phase Jimenez, now a 15-time PGA TOUR Champions winner. He spent his day smoking stogies and soaking in perfect Orange County weather. Congrats to Miguel and the team at the Hoag Classic for putting on an amazing show for us fans.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE