18

Age

20

Ridgecrest, Calif.

Hometown

Oslo, Norway

Blinger

Nickname

Hovi

302

World Amateur Golf Ranking

5

UCLA/Sophomore

College/Year

Oklahoma State/Junior

All-PAC 12 Conference

Collegiate Honors

First Team All-America, All-Big 12 Conference

Attempting to become the first UCLA Bruin to win the U.S. Amateur

School Note

Fifth player from Oklahoma State to advance to the U.S. Amateur in final in the last 24 years

First

U.S. Amateur Appearances

Second (missed match-play cut in 2017)

1 up, over Isaiah Salinda

Semifinal Win

3 and 2, over Cole Hammer

Made eight birdies in his semifinal victory

Key Fact

Has only trailed for one hole during his five matches

The first player since 1981 to win the U.S. Amateur in his home state

Attempting to Become…

The fourth Scandinavian-born player to win a USGA championship

65 at Boulder Creek G.C. (Calif.) and Makai G.C. (Hawaii)

Lowest Competitive Round

62 at Tyrifjorden G.C. (Norway)

Piano, Guitar, Card Magic and Painting

Hobbies

Watching Movies and Listening to Heavy Metal Music

On pressure: “I like being nervous out there and knowing that I have to hit a good shot here, and I've got to make this putt. I love that feeling. I think it helps me focus a little bit more.”

Quote

On his semifinal match against Hammer: “I think we just kind of fed off each other. He made a putt and then I answered, if not the same hole making a putt. We just went back and forth. It was a really good match.”