Viktor Hovland (24) was clearly uncomfortable when, on his way to the 16th hole, he ended up in a verbal altercation with Daniel Berger – who in turn was clearly annoyed by the Norwegian’s steadfastness.

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– To be honest. I’m not comfortable with that. That’s not what I saw, Viktor Hovland once said during an ultimately lengthy discussion between Daniel Berger, Joel Dahmen and himself.

It can be seen and heard clearly in the clip which is longer than the last loop Player Championship Tournament in Florida.

It started when Berger – plup! – hit the ball in the water. Of course there is no doubt about that. The hesitation occurred when the American believed he should be allowed to drop – that is, place – the ball in a certain place, according to the ball’s previous trajectory. Hovland and Joel Dahmen from America, who flew with Berger, thought he had seen it wrong.

– I didn’t see the ball go there, on the left side, said Viktor Hovland.

Berger asked Hovland where he wanted it. Hovland answered at the edge of the fairway. Before they got this far, the Norwegian also stated that he was “a little skeptical”. A judge has also entered into action. He believes three players, Berger, Dahmen and Hovland, have the best view from the angle of the ball.

– You have to decide, he said.

The Player’s Championship Tournament is broadcast on Discovery+. There, Hovland was impressed, among other things, by this:

The players cannot agree on the decision unanimously. Mood can be called amperage. The discussion will somehow not end. Berger said, of Hovland and Dahmen’s point of view, that it was wrong – hotly. He told the judge he could not believe that “those people” acted that way.

Viktor Hovland backed away a little, held out his hand – he didn’t think this was fun. Finally, the fighting cock, if allowed to use the word in golf, reached a compromise. Berger dropped the ball roughly halfway between what Hovland and Dahmen thought was the right place, and where Berger wanted to hit it.

But the episode definitely affected Viktor Hovland. During the press conference, he politely stated that he had great respect for Berger, but the pitch and other players “must be protected”.

– That’s not a pleasant discussion. But when you have a strong intention, you have to stick to your point, says Viktor Hovland.

He finished in joint ninth place, Berger in 13th.