Viktor Hovland was roared on by World Cup fans from his native Norway as he won a play-off to beat world no.1 Scottie Scheffler to win the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship.
Norway’s ‘viking row’ made an appearance on the course over the weekend with a Norwegian contingent making the trip from Boston to TPC River Highlands in Connecticut to cheer on their home-grown hero.
Hovland had a one-shot lead going into the fourth round on Sunday and was close to clinching victory on the 18th, but his birdie attempt from 25 feet narrowly missed as he carded a one-under 69 for a -21 under total, His score was matched by Scheffler, who holed from eight feet at the last to force the tournament into a play-off.
With the light having gone after a lengthy weather delay, both players had to return on Monday, but Hovland only needed one extra hole to take the title, rolling in a birdie from 15 feet on the 18th hole and then seeing Scheffler miss his birdie attempt from inside six feet, and hand the title and the $3.6 million first prize, to the 28-year-old Norwegian.
“It’s been stressful, but it’s unbelievable,” said Hovland, for whom this was an eighth PGA Tour win. ”I knew I had to bring out my best to have a chance of beating Scottie. I know how good I can get and I keep pushing myself and wanting to get better. When I fall short it really annoys me, but I did a really good job. I didn’t start well on Thursday, and I didn’t let it bother me. I couldn’t be happier.”
With Scheffler securing his fourth runner-up finish of the season, the remaining top-five placings were filled by Collin Morikawa, who charged up the leaderboard with a final round 61 to secure third, one shot off the play-off mark, while Matt Fitzpatrick took fourth with a closing 64, one shot ahead of US Open champion Wyndham Clark, who tied with Ashkay Bhatia for fifth.
For all the scores from the Travelers Championship, click here.
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