Japanese prospect Ryo Hisatsune produced an impressive tied fourth finish at the Valspar Championship on Sunday, March 23, 2025, marking his second top-10 result of the season on the PGA Tour. The 22-year-old Hisatsune fired a closing three-under 68 at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course, finishing the tournament at eight-under, just three strokes behind winner Viktor Hovland, who clinched the title with a final round score of 67.
The Valspar Championship this year was a showcase of intense competition, with Justin Thomas also in contention, ultimately finishing as the runner-up after carding a 66. Alongside Hisatsune, another notable participant was Chinese Taipei’s Kevin Yu, who ended in a tied 12th position after signing off with a 71 for a total of five-under. Korea’s An Byeong-hun shared the 16th position, concluding his game with a 71 as well.
Hisatsune, playing only his second season on the PGA Tour, demonstrated remarkable skill throughout his final round, including five birdies and two bogeys despite hitting only 10 greens in regulation. “I was aiming for the title, so it's disappointing that it wasn't enough but I think it was good we were able to play in such a good shape,” said Hisatsune, reflecting on his performance. He expressed particular satisfaction with his driving, ranking 13th in Strokes Gained: Driving for the week, and achieving top-10 finishes in both Putting (eighth) and Around the Green (ninth) during his final round. “The short game got better and better this week,” he added.
This recent performance has propelled Hisatsune into consideration for the next Signature event, the RBC Heritage, slated for next month. He currently sits tied for fourth place in the Aon Swing 5 ranking, and the top-5 players through the Valero Texas Open are set to earn spots in the prestigious event. His latest top-10 finish notably surpasses his achievement from the previous season when he recorded just one top-10 finish amidst six top-25s, allowing him to comfortably retain his Tour card.
Meanwhile, Hovland's victory at the Valspar Championship marks his seventh triumph on the PGA Tour and signifies his return to form following a challenging span of missed cuts. Achieving a final score of 11-under, Hovland's win was particularly gratifying. “It feels unbelievable. It's been quite the struggle the past year and a half, so for me to come back and win this tournament is quite incredible because, yeah, I was not very hopeful with my game leading into this week and just goes to show this game is pretty crazy,” he confessed after his victory.
Hovland shared that entering the tournament, he was coming off three consecutive missed cuts, heightening the pressure he faced. “Just tried to go out there and play my game and I knew I didn't feel super comfortable or confident, but I was really patient and just tried to play really smart,” he noted. This patient approach paid off, as he executed great iron shots and depended heavily on his putting skills, instilling a sense of confidence that helped him navigate the course effectively.
The win signals Hovland's comeback, having last triumphed at the 2023 Tour Championship. After a tumultuous period, he expressed great relief at returning to the winner’s circle. “I hit a bad shot and it didn't really faze me all that much. I leaned on my putting, hit a lot of great iron shots, so, yeah, it was awesome.” His victory adds another notch to an already commendable career, garnering attention again as he solidifies his presence in professional golf.
As the PGA Tour progresses, Hisatsune’s achievements illustrate the bright future ahead for the young Japanese golfer, while Hovland's success rekindles interest in a talented player rebounding from adversity. Both athletes have left an indelible mark at the Valspar Championship, setting the stage for exciting developments in their careers.
