Golf: Viktor Hovland edges Scottie Scheffler to retain Hero World Challenge title
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Viktor Hovland of Norway celebrates with the trophy and host Tiger Woods after winning the Hero World Challenge on Sunday.
PHOTO: AFP
ALBANY, Bahamas – Norway’s Viktor Hovland held off challenger Scottie Scheffler with a final-round, three-under 69 to win the Hero World Challenge in New Providence, Bahamas, by two strokes on Sunday.
It was his second straight win, making him the second player to retain his title at the unofficial PGA Tour event after event host Tiger Woods (2006-07).
“Over 72 holes, you’re not going to hit great shots all the time,’‘ he said. “I hit plenty of terrible shots today but it’s making those key putts and kind of keeping yourself in it.
“That’s why I’ve been able to be in contention without really hitting it all that well this year.”
He came into the day with a three-stroke lead and his final round included five birdies but a pair of bogeys, including one on No. 18 to open the door for Scheffler, added drama to the finish of the 20-player invitational event.
“It was a lot more stressful than it should have been,” Hovland said.
“When you’re standing there with a two-shot lead, it’s like the last thing you can do.”
Scheffler, who had birdied four of the seven holes on the back nine to put himself into contention with one hole to go, could not capitalise on Hovland’s shaky finish, bogeying the final hole as well to card a 68 for the day.
“I’m proud of how I played the back nine,” the world No. 2, who failed to supplant Rory McIlroy atop the rankings, said.
“I got some good looks and made some nice putts and it was good to kind of make a little run.
“Granted it wasn’t enough, which definitely hurts, but it was nice to make a run.”
Hovland’s blistering 64 on Saturday gave him just enough breathing room to win with a 16-under 272 total.
Americans Cameron Young (276) and Xander Schauffele (277) both shot 68 to finish third and fourth respectively. Their compatriot, Justin Thomas, finished fifth at 10 under after his round of 70.
“A lot of us believe that we can (compete), but that’s different from having some proof,” Young said.
Americans Collin Morikawa (70) and Tony Finau (68), South Korea’s Im Sung-jae (68), Spain’s Jon Rahm (71), South Korea’s Tom Kim (69) and Austria’s Sepp Straka (71) rounded out the top 10. REUTERS
