Tiger Woods handing over the winning trophy to Viktor Hovland
Norwegian Viktor Hovland emerged from a dramatic final day at the star studded US$3.5 million Hero World Challenge in Bahamas with a one-shot victory over American Scottie Scheffler. Hovland started the day six shots behind leader Colin Morikawa, but Morikawa who started the final day with a commanding 5 shot lead, surprisingly made two double bogeys in his first six holes on the way to a shocking final round of 4-over 76. Meanwhile Hovland went eagle-eagle-birdie on holes 14, 15 and 16, giving himself a comfortable win.
Hovland shot 68-69-67-66 to finish at 18-under 270. Scheffler also shot 66 in the final round to post the clubhouse target of 17-under 271.
Five different players had at least a share of the lead on Sunday before Hovland took control with his back-nine burst. He holed a bunker shot for eagle on the 14th, a drivable par-4, before smashing a 7-iron into the par-5 15th and making the eagle putt. It was Hovland’s third win of the year, and he is projected to move to seventh in the World Rankings.
His third eagle of the week at No. 14. 👀
Viktor Hovland holes it from the bunker. pic.twitter.com/rPqCwwbMiH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 5, 2021
Morikawa’s collapse was the biggest surprise of the day. He led by five after three rounds and had looked in total control, seemingly destined to march towards victory, and the World No. 1 ranking that would come with it. But he made no birdies on the front nine and struggled to a 5-over 41, the highest front nine score of any player for the week, finishing in a tie for 5th.
Credits:-
Photo – Tiger Woods