There was a lot of excitement as Viktor Hovland, who seemed to have all but clinched his second straight Hero World Challenge as he went four up at the turn and was then two clear at the 18th tee. But it was not that easy. No tournament is won till is it won, goes the old cliché. It was just that Hovland needed a 20-foot for bogey on the 72nd to claim a victory that denied Scottie Scheffler a chance to become No. 1 in the world rankings.
Hovland finished at 16-under 272 and won $1 million. The trophy was presented by Tiger Woods and Dr PawanMunjal, Chairman and CEO of Hero MotoCorp.The victory is unofficial, but the worldranking points pushed him up three spots to No. 9. Hovland joined the tournament host Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners. Woods won in 2006-2007.
For the second time in two years, Hovland dashed a top rival’s dreams of becoming the World No.1 with a win at the HeroWorld Challenge. Last year Hovland rallied from a six-shot deficit to win the HWC on his debut to thwart Collin Morikawa from becoming World No. 1. This time he beat Scottie Scheffler in a close battle.Hovland smiled and said, “I would love to do that more (about beating others from becoming No. 1).”