Scottish Open fans delight Viktor Hovland by doing Viking Row

Fans in the grandstands and hospitality areas were encouraged to do the ‘Viking Row’ as groups came through the 15th hole at The Renaissance Club, where helmet hats had even been sourced and handed out. Someone had also been handed the task of beating a drum at the back of the green.

Hovland has one of the best smiles in golf and, boy, did his face light up when he made his way up the hole in the second group of the day along with Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra.

“Yeah, a little bit,” admitted the Ryder Cup player in reply to being asked if he’d been shocked by the sight that met him in the third round at the showcase hole for this year’s Rolex Series event.

“I thought it was just a couple people rowing and then I saw the drums were out as well. So that was a cool initiative. It looked as though they were all getting into it as well. Everyone was doing it. Yeah, it seems like all you guys want us to beat the Brits.”

Kristofer Reitan, the other Norwegian in the field but not around for the weekend after missing the cut, had told his caddie, Edinburgh man Tim Poyser, that he’d sensed that he was set for a bit more support this week from Scottish fans.

“A little bit, yeah,” admitted Hovland of that being the case. “All the drivers I've been talking to and just Scottish people in general, volunteers and stuff like that. So, yeah, it's cool.”

Hovland, who was tied for the lead heading into The Open in 2022 before finishing joint-third at St Andrews, is facing a new Claret Jug challenge in next week’s event at Royal Birkdale. “I haven't been there since I played the British Boys - a long time ago,” he said, smiling.

“I remember getting pretty penalised off the tee out there. So I’m feeling quite happy with that, considering my driving is in really good shape.”