Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Viktor Hovland holds off Scottie Scheffler to go back-to-back at Hero

Written by 
Published in Golf
Sunday, 04 December 2022 09:58

NASSAU, Bahamas — Viktor Hovland won the Hero World Challenge with more excitement than he needed Sunday, clinching it with a 20-foot bogey putt on the final hole for a 3-under 69 to join tournament host Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners.

Hovland took a four-shot lead at the turn when Masters champion Scottie Scheffler made double bogey on the par-5 ninth. No one got closer than two shots the rest of the way.

It just didn’t feel that easy.

Hovland had a two-shot lead on the 18th, when his 6-iron from the slope above a bunker turned hard left and into the water. He took a penalty drop and hit a full wedge to about 20 feet for a chance to save bogey.

Scheffler was in the sandy area right of the green, and his chip ran hard over the lip and settled 10 feet away, giving him a par putt to force a playoff if Hovland missed.

Hovland holed the bogey putt for another trophy presentation with Woods. It was far different from a year ago, when he rallied from six shots behind.

“It’s frigging nerve-wracking,” Hovland said with a smile. “You’re never that comfortable. I didn’t play that great on the back nine, but it was good enough.”

Woods won in 2006 and 2007 when it was held at Sherwood Country Club. He had to withdraw this week with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, instead watching in his Sunday red shirt for some drama no one was expecting.

Hovland finished at 16-under 272 and won $1 million. The victory is unofficial, but the world ranking points pushed him up three spots to No. 9.

Scheffler needed to win to return to No. 1 in the world, at least for a few weeks. Rory McIlroy was projected to finish the year at the top of the ranking regardless of the outcome.

Starting three shots behind, Scheffler holed a pitch from 30 yards short of the green on the par-5 sixth hole for eagle to reach 14-under par and momentarily tie for the lead. Hovland was in trouble off the tee, had to play a blind shot over a 20-foot high dune and then holed an 18-foot birdie putt to stay one ahead.

The next hole was pivotal – the 18th notwithstanding.

Scheffler’s pitch from the bottom of the fairway on the short par-4 seventh barely got onto the green and rolled into the bunker, leading to bogey. Hovland was on the edge of a bunker and chipped to 5 feet for birdie and a two-shot swing, restoring his lead to three.

Scheffler’s double bogey on the ninth, which culminated with a three-putt from about 15 feet, left him five shots behind.

Cameron Young made a strong bid and got within two shots at one point, until he took bogey on the 16th. Xander Schauffele also made an early run, but that ended with a bogey on the par-5 15th.

Scheffler ran off three-straight birdies through the 16th hole to get within two shots, and Hovland gave him an opening on the 18th until he closed it with the big putt.

“I made it a little more exciting, I guess,” Hovland said with a smile.

Scheffler’s goal was to get within one shot before the 18th. He didn’t quite reach that, but he still had a chance.

“I said earlier in the week that I don’t like finishing second,” said Scheffler, a runner-up in the Bahamas for the second-straight year – his third runner-up finish overall this year. “It’s not a good feeling right now, but I’m proud of the fight.”

Scheffler still heads into the holidays with a breakthrough year behind him: the Masters among his four PGA Tour wins, No. 1 in the world longer than anyone else this year and the PGA Tour player of the year.

Young had a 68 and finished alone in third, followed by Schauffele (68) and Justin Thomas, who had five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine to salvage a poor start and close with 70 to finish fifth.

“It’s only 20 players, but it’s the best 20 players in the world,” Hovland said. “You’ve got to play your best to win.”

Read 216 times

Soccer

Confused Kompany: 'I don't look at' UCL standings

Confused Kompany: 'I don't look at' UCL standings

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he doesn't fully understan...

PSG boss Luis Enrique on UCL defeat: Blame me

PSG boss Luis Enrique on UCL defeat: Blame me

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsParis Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique acknowledged in an angry ret...

David Coote faces new FA probe over betting claim

David Coote faces new FA probe over betting claim

EmailPrintThe English Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into allegations suspe...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points and...

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Tues...

Baseball

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent left-hander Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have...

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated