Norway’s Viktor Hovland grabs six-shot lead at Tour Championship
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Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the 16th tee during the third round of the Tour Championship.
PHOTO: AFP
ATLANTA – Viktor Hovland shrugged off severe heat and a storm delay to seize a six-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.
The 25-year-old Norwegian fired a four-under 66 to stand on 20-under 198 after 54 holes at East Lake in Atlanta, with American Xander Schauffele (68) a distant second on 204.
“I can’t remember (when) I’ve led by that many shots,” Hovland said.
Temperatures soared near 37.7 deg C before a late-round storm stoppage, but nothing could slow Hovland, who won the previous BMW Championship
“I don’t think I’ve ever played this well before, with this stretch, just putting all the short game and stuff together,” he added.
“I feel like I’ve hit the ball better than I have this week and even last week, but it’s just about putting it all together and it seemed like the good weeks that I’ve had before I’ve always managed to... end up out of contention. This year, I feel like I’ve just become a little bit more complete.”
Collin Morikawa (73) and Keegan Bradley (70) of the United States shared third on 13-under on 205. Masters champion Jon Rahm (71) of Spain was fifth on 11-under with top-ranked Scottie Scheffler (73) and his fellow American Wyndham Clark (68), the US Open champion.
Starting scores in the FedExCup play-off finale were staggered based on season points, with Scheffler at 10 under, Hovland next at eight under and rivals at lesser levels.
Hovland shot 68 and 64 to share the lead after the first and second rounds, aided by the unique format. Now the world No. 5 longs to join past Cup winners like Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.
“To win the FedExCup is pretty cool. The list of names that’s been on that trophy is pretty special. It would be awesome to have my name on there,” he said.
Tokyo Olympic champion Schauffele, who has never fired an over-par round at East Lake, shot 68 for his 24th under-par score in 27 career rounds at the venue.
“I need to go out and try and put as much pressure on him tomorrow on that front nine as I can and hope for the best,” Schauffele said of chasing down Hovland.
“He has just been playing unbelievable golf... working really hard. I saw him working hard through the play-offs. I was out late and he was one of the guys I always saw until dark as well. So, no surprise.” AFP, REUTERS
