Viktor Hovland goes into the final round of the FedExCup Finals with a six-shot lead
Viktor Hovland is nearing his back-to-back PGA Tour titles and FedExCup victory after securing a commanding six-shot lead ahead of the final round of the Tour Championship.
Last week’s BMW Championship winner shared the top spot with Collin Morikawa ahead of the season finale weekend, but pulled away from the field during a weather-related third lap at East Lake.
Hovland mixed five birdies with a single bogey in an impressive game of four-under-66 to make it 20-under. That puts him well ahead of his biggest challenger, Xander Schauffele, and put him in the best position to clinch the $18 million jackpot.
Viktor Hovland shot a 61 on the final lap to win the BMW Championship on Sunday
Schauffele posted a score of 2 under 68 to finish in second place ahead of Morikawa and Keegan Bradley who birdied two of his last four holes to set a level par 70 score. Among the players in the group tied with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in fifth place after difficulties, he landed to a three-for-73.
Hovland takes control of the Tour championship
After the final pair opened with back-to-back pars, Hovland missed a 10-foot birdie look in the third round and Morikawa failed to convert from similar distance in the next, as neither was able to take the advantage To provide.
Collin Morikawa played alongside Hovland in Saturday’s final group in East Lake
Morikawa scored his first drop shot of the tournament when he smashed a bad chip into a bunker on his way to a double-bogey in the fifth round, giving Hovland a two-shot lead with a par, only for Schauffele to make three birdies in one Four-hole course from the fourth to the end within a hole.
Hovland ended a streak of pars by notching consecutive birdies from the sixth, giving him a four lead when Schauffele bogeyed on the eighth hole, with the Norwegian scoring a 10-footer on the same hole after a stunning recovery from the fairway bunker -look playful .
Xander Schauffele will play in the final group on Sunday
Schauffele started his back nine with an 8-foot birdie but dropped a shot in 12th place after an erratic tee shot sent him flying out of the trees, with Hovland staying four ahead when the game ended at 5:28 local time (10:28 p.m. BST) was interrupted. for 75 minutes due to the risk of lightning.
When play resumed, Hovland made the dream start when he followed up a 10-foot birdie in the 12th minute, converting from double-range in the next minute, giving him a brief seven-plus lead when Schauffele went on the 15th minute .minute missed from five feet to save the par.
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Schauffele responded with a 12-foot birdie on the 16th, allowing him to get to within five when Hovland bogeyed on the 14th after a faulty drive and a poor approach, but the leader recovered himself by going from 15 Foot on the par-three next.
Hovland missed birdie glimpses from 10 feet on each of his final three holes, but retained a six lead and control after Schauffele only parried the last, with Bradley and Morikawa going another shot back in the final day.
Viktor Hovland threatened to extend his lead beyond the final holes
“I have to go out and try to put as much pressure on him (Hovland) as possible on the front nine tomorrow and hope for the best,” said Schauffele. “He just plays incredible golf.”
US Open winner Wyndham Clark and Masters winner Jon Rahm share 11 under in fifth with FedExCup leader Scheffler, who made his only birdie of the day on the final hole, while Rory McIlory is another two strokes down in eighth Place came after a one-over 71 dropped him to nine under.
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2023-08-27 12:44:13
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