“It’s amazing. I was leading by five after the turn and I didn’t play very well on the back nine but it was good enough. It made it a little bit more fun and I thought I was going to win. [Tiger Woods’] the competition is a very special thing.” – Hovland winner of the Hero World Challenge
Last Updated: 04/12/22 11:21pm
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Highlights as Viktor Hovland of Norway won the Hero World Challenge for the second year in a row.
Highlights as Viktor Hovland of Norway won the Hero World Challenge for the second year in a row.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland held on to beat Scottie Scheffler and successfully defend his Hero World Challenge title in the Bahamas.
Hovland was in danger of blowing a two-shot lead on the final hole when he pulled his second shot from an unlucky lie on the fairway into the water, but the Ryder Cup star got up and dropped to save an unexpected bogey.
Scheffler also birdied the 18th after his chip from the dirt caught the edge of the hole and ran 15 feet, leaving Hovland to celebrate an unexpected victory at the 16th under par.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland won the Hero World Challenge for the second year in a row
“It’s scary,” Hovland told NBC after closing 69.
“I was leading by five I think after I turned and I didn’t play well on the back nine but it was enough. It made it a little bit more interesting I think.”
Hovland celebrates PGA Tour victory in New Providence, Bahamas
Scheffler, who needs a win to reclaim the world number one spot from Rory McIlroy, had a momentary share of the lead as he followed up birdies on the second and fourth before hitting an eagle on the sixth.
However, his partner Hovland holed out from 20 feet on the same hole to move back in front and Scheffler’s hopes appeared to have vanished with a bogey on the seventh and a double bogey on the ninth.
Scheffler refused to throw in the towel and the Masters champion birdied 11, 14, 15 and 16 to keep the pressure on, a push that almost paid off on the 18th.
Scottie Scheffler pushed for the title, but Hovland stopped him
Hovland joins Tiger Woods (2006-07) as the only player to win back-to-back titles in fewer games.
“He’s a bad ass,” Hovland said with a smile. “I’m glad he didn’t play the last two years. (But) for him to win his championship is something special.”
Woods was scheduled to return to Albany for the first time since missing the Open Championship in July, but pulled out Monday because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
The 15-year-old major winner also dropped in his press conference on Tuesday that he “underwent several surgeries” this year to compete after a life-threatening car accident in February 2021, although he refused to reveal anything. .
Woods still plans to play with Rory McIlroy in The Match against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas on December 10 and play in the PNC tournament with his son Charlie the following week.
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