NASSAU, Bahamas — Viktor Hovland won the World Challenge with more than enough excitement on Sunday, courtesy of a 20-foot putt on the final hole to get a bogey. With a score of 69, he joins tournament host Tiger Woods as the only winner of consecutive editions.
Hovland took a four-shot lead at the halfway mark when Masters Tournament champion Scottie Scheffler double-bogeyed at the 9th pennant. No one came within two shots the rest of the way.
However, it was not so easy.
The Norwegian had a two-shot priority on the 18th, but his shot with his 6-iron, from the slope above a pit, fell into the water. He took a penalty stroke and hit his wedge about 20 feet from the cut for a chance to save the bogey.
Scheffler was in the sandy area to the right of the green, and his approach went over the ledge and landed three yards from the hole. This shot gave him a virtually guaranteed par and would force overtime if Hovland missed his putt.
Hovland did not fail and were treated to another presentation of the trophy with Woods. It was very different from what happened a year ago, when he came from behind by six strokes.
“It’s terribly nerve-wracking,” Hovland said with a smile. You are never quite comfortable. I didn’t play very well on the last nine holes, but it was enough. »
Woods triumphed in 2006 and 2007 when the tournament was held at Sherwood Country Club. He had to withdraw this week due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and preferred to wear his red Sunday jersey for turnovers that no one expected.
Hovland finished the four rounds with 272 shots, 16 less than par. He also got his hands on the $1 million purse.
The victory is not official, but the world ranking points allowed him to move up three places and climb to 9th place.
Scheffler needed to win to regain the top echelon in the world, at least for a few weeks. Rory McIlroy was expected to finish the year at the top of the standings, regardless of the result.
Cameron Young put up good resistance and went two shots at one point, until he bogeyed on the 16th. Xander Schauffele also had a good start to the run which ended with a bogey on 16th as well.
The lone Canadian in the running, Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., completed his round in 67 shots, the best of the day. This good performance allowed him to gain three places and finish in 16th place.
