Viktor Hovland Claims 2021 Hero World Challenge
Nassau, Bahamas – There were twists and turns aplenty on at the top of the leaderboard, but Viktor Hovland (-18) came out on top Sunday at the Hero World Challenge. Tiger’s small field invitational event in the Bahamas always features many of the world’s top players and this week was no exception. Hovland edged out Scottie Scheffler by one stroke. Sam Burns and Patrick Reed finished T3 at -15.
Collin Morikawa was the clear favorite to win at the start of the final round, leading the pack by five strokes. However, things went sideways for him right away and he couldn’t recover enough to right the ship. He finished T5 at -14, sharing that spot with Justin Thomas, after shooting a 76. It was a far cry from his laser-precise Saturday 64. The world number one ranking will have to wait for now.
Hovland’s final round wasn’t short on adventure either. His back nine included back to back eagles on 14 and 15, a birdie on 16, and back to back bogeys on 17 and 18. After the win, Hovland remarked that the small field win felt like a big win because of the strength of field, noting that his previous wins haven’t been at the biggest events.
If Hovland can keep his putting and chipping on track, his elite ball-striking and accuracy of the tee could guide him to more big wins in 2022. Not everyone was so dialed in though. Playing together, Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson, both former winners, played from the wrong tees on the 9th hole and were penalized two strokes.
The PGA Tour now takes its longest break of the year. On January 9, PGA Tour winners from the previous season will gather at the Plantation Course at Kapalua for the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Viktor Hovland What’s In The Bag
Driver: Ping G425 LST 9° (Fujikura Speeder TR 661 TX)
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM 15° (Mitsubishi Tensei Blue AV Raw 85 TX)
7-wood: Ping G425 Max (Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X)
Irons: Ping i210 4-PW (KBS Tour V 120 X)
Wedges: Ping Glide Forged Pro 50°, 56°, Titleist Vokey SM8 WedgeWorks 60° (KBS Tour V 130 X)
Putter: Ping PLD DS 72
Dylan Thaemert
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