In this game, we’re constantly looking for the next big thing, a new kid on the block, an heir to the throne or a superstar in waiting. The problem for those being tipped for the top, of course is that they are immediately burdened with more great expectations than you would get in a Charles Dickens archive.

Viktor Hovland has been a name on the lips of many for a while now and his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour in Puerto Rico last weekend – he became the first Norwegian to win on the circuit – merely increased the excited chatter.

Hovland conjured plenty of amateur dramatics during his spell at Oklahoma University. The 22-year-old won the US Amateur Championship in 2018 made the cut in the 2019 Masters and, in his swansong in the unpaid ranks, finished 12th in the US Open.

Along with US duo, Matthew Wolff and Collin Morikawa, Hovland formed a trinity of rookies that were the most heralded in recent PGA Tour history. Hovland’s maiden win in just his 17th start as a professional ensured that all three former amateur stand-outs have now won on the main circuit.

“It was kind of weird just having people expecting so much from you when I haven't had quite the finishes that maybe warranted those expectations,” said Hovland who had posted two top-10s on the PGA Tour and a second-place finish on the second-tier Korn Ferry circuit prior to his win. “But I kind of just stuck with myself and tried to perform the golf that I know I'm capable of. Fortunately, last week it came out and hopefully in the future I can get that out more often. When we [Wolff, Morikawa and himself] were in college and looking forward to turning pro we were obviously dreaming about it [winning]. But for all of us to have won within a year? I mean, it's pretty remarkable. It's been a crazy ride.”

Hovland is following a path that has not been trodden much by his Norwegian compatriots. While Suzann Pettersen was a multiple LPGA Tour winner, Major champion and Solheim Cup stalwart in the women’s game only Henrik Bjornstad, a name even golf nerds may struggle to recall, made it to the PGA Tour in the men’s game and his stint in the top echelon was fleeting. It was still an achievement that inspired Hovland, though. There were other, more well-kent names who fired his ambitions too.

"The only or the first person to play out here was Henry Bjornstad," said the world No.60. "I grew up kind of watching him play or following the scores online. So to kind of follow his footsteps and be able to win the first tournament for Norway is really special. Obviously being born in the Tiger era, I was certainly inspired by what he was doing on the course, and I really liked kind of flair that Sergio Garcia had while playing.

“I would kind of take pieces from every single player. I would like some of what he was doing, then this guy would do something else that I would think was pretty cool. It was mostly Tiger, but I would pick something from all of them.”

Fling all of these assorted bits, bobs, odds and sods into a pot and you have a golfer of considerable substance.

Padraig Harrington, the European Ryder Cup captain, has made no secret of his admiration for Hovland over the last few months as the Irishman keeps an eye on a new raft of up-and-coming young guns ahead of this year’s transatlantic tussle with the USA.

Hovland still has plenty of work to do to barge his way into the reckoning but a win has certainly bolstered that assault.

“It didn't hurt,” he said. “I've been looking at the Ryder Cup as something that I want to play in for a really long time. Being on a team would be the pinnacle of a career. Hopefully I can just keep playing well and make more of a mark.”