Viktor Hovland's 'questionable' shirt polarizes viewers, draws extreme reactions during 2023 Masters

Joe Rivera

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Viktor Hovland's 'questionable' shirt polarizes viewers, draws extreme reactions during 2023 Masters image

The green jacket is the choice wardrobe for everyone teeing it up at Augusta this week, but Viktor Hovland might have other ideas.

Hovland sits in the drivers' seat at the 2023 Masters, angling for the first major tournament victory of his budding PGA Tour career. The Norwegian's play wasn't the only thing that grabbed eyes during Thursday's Round 1, however.

Hovland's top, a bright, flamboyant, azalea-themed polo, assaulted the eyeballs of viewers everywhere as he romped through the field in Round 1:

MORE: Masters tee times, pairings for Rounds 1 and 2

Some viewers were fans of the polo, which felt like the wardrobe of your uncle Bobby on a Saturday morning at the local club, while others were questioning Hovland's fashion sense:

MORE: Masters live scores, highlights from Thursday's Round 1

The 25-year-old is flirting with a course record in the shirt, with three birdies and an eagle through his first 11 holes, good for 6-under. The single-round record is 63, so Hovland has a good shot to tie or break that with a sizzling first round at Augusta.

Hovland's best finish at Augusta came in 2021, when he tied for 21st. Clearly, it's the shirt that's working for him, though he did have some colorful tops last time around.

Made by J. Lindeberg golf, you, too, fair reader, can look just like Viktor Hovland for a cool $115, plus shipping and handling. That doesn't mean you'll play like him, however.

Here’s a look at Hovland’s for the rest of the weekend. 

Well, as it goes, look good, feel good, play good, paid good. Hovland certainly has the first three on lockdown on Thursday.

Joe Rivera

Joe Rivera Photo

Joe Rivera is in his seventh year with The Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. A proud-ish Rutgers University graduate, Rivera combines a new-school flair with an old-school soul. He loves dingers, wrestling, comic books, movies, music and really bad puns. He is also a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater.

You can find him and tweet him @JoeRiveraSN, if you're into that sort of thing.