Hovland said his interest in UFOs started recently as one way to take his mind off golf and everything that comes along with being one of the game's best players.
FARMINGDALE, NY — The subject was going to be raised. Had to be after Ludvig Aberg spilled on European Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland's fascination with UFOs.
So the question was asked of Hovland the day before the start of the Ryder Cup:
"Ludvig said that you like to talk about UFOs. What's up with that?"
Hovland, the Norwegian who lives in Palm Beach Gardens, played along.
"What's up with that? Yeah, that's the question, isn't it," he said, laughing. "What is up with that?"
Hovland, 28, said his interest in UFOs started recently as one way to take his mind off golf and everything that comes along with being one of the game's best players. He is ranked No. 12 in the world.
"I've always been extremely into my golf, and sometimes you just look at your golf swing and trying to practice hard and you don't really get the results that you want, it can be quite frustrating," he said. "I think it's been one of those things that I've kind of taken my mind off of golf a little bit.
"And then the more you go into it, you just got more questions. It's one of those things that you don't really find any more answers but it's very interesting to go in there and kind of challenge some of your beliefs that you currently hold, and you kind of have to expand your mind a little bit."
Hovland would not expand his answer. So the unanswered question is if he's spotted any UFOs flying over Palm Beach County.
"I think it's super fascinating because it touches on so many different topics, as well," he said. "I find it really interesting."
Hovland-Aberg defeated Scottie Scheffler-Brooks Koepka in 2023
Aberg, who is from Sweden, partnered with Hovland in Rome in 2023 to defeat Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, 9 and 7, in foursomes in the most one-sided match in Ryder Cup history.
The two now play practice rounds together as much as they can.
"We're good friends," Aberg said. "We speak the same language. We come from a very similar background. Norway and Sweden are very close in terms of the cultural environment.
"He's always into sort of the UFO deals and all those things, so it's quite interesting. I'm not quite down that road just yet. If I hang out with him long enough, I might be."
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Don't ask European Ryder Cup's Viktor Hovland if UFOs are for real
Category: General Sports
