BMW Championship: Viktor Hovland Surprises Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick to Epic Victory | Golf News

Viktor Hovland mixed in 10 birdies with a lone bogey in an impressive final round of 61, setting the course record and winning with two strokes; Scottie Scheffler leads the FedExCup standings after finishing tied for second with Matt Fitzpatrick

Viktor Hovland produced a sensational barrage of birdies on the back nine to stun world number 1 Scottie Scheffler and claim a spectacular victory in the BMW Championship.

Hovland overcame a three-shot deficit during a gripping final round at Olympia Fields Country Club, where he shot seven birdies on a back-nine 28 to set the course record with an incredible nine-under-par 61.

The Norwegian finished the week at 17-under-par to record a second PGA Tour title of the season and fifth overall, with the latest success also seeing him close the gap on Scheffler atop the FedExCup standings heading into the Tour Championship.

Scottie Scheffler will start with a two-stroke lead at the Tour Championship on Thursday

Scheffler held at least a portion of the lead for most of the day, but saw his hopes dashed by a bogey on the penultimate hole, with the American finishing tied for second at 15-under with Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy three strokes. further back in fourth place. .

Special Sunday on the PGA Tour

Scheffler missed a six-foot chance at the par-five first, but took the lead when he converted from 10-foot on the next, with the world number 1 nearly holed out on his approach to third to set up a birdie.

Fitzpatrick shot from 20 feet to match his playing partner’s birdie and added another from close range at the next level of pull, and both fired tee shots inside from six feet and picking shots at the sixth par-three to move to 14. low .

Matt Fitzpatrick finished the week at 15 under par with Scheffler.

Playing two groups ahead, Hovland had birdied three of his first five holes to briefly move closer to one of the leaders, but then bogeyed the seventh, making it 33, while his playing partner McIlroy was one stroke back after finishing his front nine. with a bogey

Scheffler squandered another birdie opportunity in the seventh and saw Fitzpatrick produce a remarkable up-and-down from the sand to save par in the eighth, only for the Englishman to bogey the ninth and fall one back around the turn.

Scottie Scheffler was chasing a third victory of the season on the PGA Tour

Fitzpatrick converted from 12 feet to join Scheffler in birdieing the tenth and temporarily fell back into a tie for the lead when the American bogeyed the next par-four, while Hovland plunged into contention by starting his last nine holes with three birdies. in a row.

Hovland responded to a missed birdie opportunity at the 13th by making a bunted birdie on the next to temporarily make it a three-way tie, only for Scheffler to roll from 15 feet and 25 feet on his next two holes to return the card. Birdies against back and two clear.

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Watch the best shots from Viktor Hovland’s brilliant final round 61 as he triumphed in the BMW Championship

Fitzpatrick rallied from a bogey on the 14th to birdie the next two holes to get back within one, while Hovland capitalized on the par-five on the 15th and added to his birdie tally on the par-four on the 17th to move back alongside Scheffler with 16 under par.

Scheffler had to settle for par at 15 and wasted a look from six feet after a brilliant tee shot at 16, which saw him fall behind for the first time as Hovland capped off an incredible back nine by setting up an eight-footer. birdie in the last to set the clubhouse goal.

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Viktor Hovland was ecstatic after shooting 61 to win the BMW Championship by two shots.

Hovland’s lead doubled when Scheffler inexplicably loaded a three-putter bogey at 17, with the win secured when neither Scheffler nor Fitzpatrick could hit their second shots on the final and both settled for closing pars.

McIlroy birdied three of his last five holes to post a four-under-par 66 and take fourth, with Open champion Brian Harman and halfway leader Max Homa a further shot behind in fifth.

Hovland: My best round!

When asked where he ranked that round in his career, Hovland said sky sports: “It has to be number one. I remember playing a pretty special round of golf my first year on Tour, I shot seven under par at Torrey Pines when it was hailing, windy and raining and that’s probably the best I’ve ever hit.” . throughout a round.

“But shooting 61 and shooting 28 over the back nine on this golf course and given the circumstances, I don’t get much better than that.”

Viktor Hovland is now second in the FedExCup standings

Hovland, who started day three from the lead, added: “I was thinking if I post a score like yesterday (65) I might at least have a chance, but it’s tough when you have so many guys in front of you.” they are really good and play amazing. Catching heat on the back nine was what I had to do.”

Whats Next?

The PGA Tour season climaxes Thursday at the Tour Championship, where only the top 30 in the FedExCup standings are allowed to appear and players receive a stroke-based advantage based on their position.

Scheffler will start with a two-stroke lead over Hovland and McIlroy will start at 7-under in third, while Jon Rahm will start in fourth ahead of Lucas Glover.

Who will win the FedExCup? Watch the Tour Championship all week long live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins Thursday from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour and more for £26 a month for 12 months with NOW.

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