Norwegian Hovland overcomes nerves and wins Mayakoba Classic

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) – Viktor Hovland says that when he is close to landing a title on his nerves. He didn’t look like it at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, where he captured another PGA Tour title with another great putt to finish.

Hovland secured par with a splendid 40-yard shot on the 16th hole and then secured the win with a 12-foot birdie on the final hole to beat Aaron Wise and claim his second title of the year.

It was the first time since the Mayakoba Classic began in 2007 that someone has beaten it with a birdie shot on the last hole. For the 23-year-old Norwegian golfer, this is nothing new. Hovland won the Puerto Rico Open in February, his first Tour title, with a 30-yard putt on the final hole.

“I was shaking there at the end,” admitted Hovland, who finished 6-under and 65 hits. “I thought I lost it with the second shot at 16. I had a great pair there. I knew I needed a birdie on 18 ”.

Adam Long (67) and Tom Hoge (69) tied for third place overall at 17 under par and 267 strokes.

Argentine Emiliano Grillo, who led after the second and third rounds, finished with 72 and tied for eighth, five strokes behind the champion. Justin Thomas fought again with a 62 on Sunday and the third-placed in the world followed with 69, after a double bogey on the 10th hole that ended his chance to win.