WATCH: Viktor Hovland drains hole-in-one, fourth ace of career, at 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Victor Hovland sent the crowd at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational into a frenzy with a par-3 ace on the 7th during Friday’s second-round bout. Starting his day with six straight pairs, the Norwegian catapulted his name into the top 20 with his spectacular one-punch shot.

Hovland’s tee shot from 183 yards had just breached a green bunker protecting the front of the ball court. After getting a big first bounce, Hovland’s ball hit the bottom of the cup, becoming his fourth career ace on the PGA Tour and third in less than a year; he has recorded aces in both the 2022 BMW Championship and the 2022 Players Championship.

Hovland was 3 short and six strokes behind club leader Kurt Kitayama at the time of the ace. World No. 11 started his week in a similar fashion on Thursday when he knocked the Eagle out of a semi-ruff on his first hole of the tournament. He was treading water, but perhaps this hole will immediately give impetus to promotion to the top of the leaderboard.

A season ago, Hovland was a memorably runner-up in this tournament behind Scotty Scheffler. With the late-tournament lead, Hovland experienced some difficulties both on and around the green before being overtaken by the defending champion. Looking for revenge, the 25-year-old will need more iron punches like the one on par-3 7th if he wants to claim his first pro title in the continental United States.