The 21-year-old Norwegian turned pro immediately after capping his sensational amateur career with a tie for 12th at last week's US Open at Pebble Beach.

With a four-under-par total of 280, Hovland broke Nicklaus' US Open scoring record for an amateur (282) which he set at the 1960 edition.

Hovland, who won the 2018 US Amateur championship at Pebble Beach, finished as the US Open's low amateur last week after earning the same honour at the Masters at Augusta with a tie for 32nd.

Hovland, a three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma, will now make his professional debut at this week's Travelers Championship – the PGA Tour event at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut.

Hovland has selected Knight as his caddie and the Sydney native says he is excited to work with one of golf's most exciting talents.

Knight has previously caddied for Australians Matt Jones and Aron Price, as well as PGA Tour regulars Chez Reavie, Jerry Kelly and Sean O'Hair.

"I'm really excited; Viktor is confident but not arrogant and easy to get along with," Knight told AAP at TPC River Highlands.

"He's willing to listen and that's really important on the PGA Tour. He wants to enjoy himself but he also wants to learn."

RIGHT: Hovland was the low amateur at Pebble Beach last week. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Although he is only 178cm tall, Hovland boasts prodigious length off the tee but combines it with accuracy.

"Viktor hits it very straight; he puts almost no curve on the ball which means he drives it really well and really powerfully," Knight said.

"He's not scared to take bold shots on. What I feel I can contribute with his green reading as a whole he is a really solid player."

Hovland will play the first two rounds of the Travelers Championship with West Australian youngster Curtis Luck.

Luck, who won the 2016 US Amateur championship before earning his way to the PGA Tour, backed Hovland to make as smooth a transition.

"Viktor's performance at the US Open says enough, he is pretty much ready to go," Luck said.

"When you're stepping up in majors and finishing 12th that's enough proof you have what it takes."

Also making his professional debut at the Travelers Championship is American Matthew Wolff, Hovland's college teammate at Oklahoma State.

Wolff has captured the attention of the golf world with a unique yet powerful swing that has been compared to former US Open winner Jim Furyk.

- Evin Priest, Australian Associated Press