(Atlanta) Viktor Hovland played the best golf of his life in the final two weeks of the PGA season, earning him his biggest career trophy on Sunday: the FedEx Cup and Bonus of 18 millionUS that comes with it.
With a six-stroke lead heading into the final round, Hovland did not flinch under persistent pressure from Xander Schauffele. The 25-year-old Norwegian remained aggressive and turned in a final card of 63 (-7) for a five-strike victory in East Lake, New Jersey.
“It’s unreal to be standing here right now,” Hovland said after lifting the FedEx Cup trophy. I’ve played my best golf in the past two weeks and it couldn’t have come at a better time. »
Hovland thus ends its best season with three titles. He completed his last two tournaments – the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship – at -36.
Schauffele made sure he had to work for the 18 million check by coming within three shots with seven pennants to go. Hovland ended the suspense with a putt from 7.5 yards in the 14th, then wedging a birdie from three yards in the 16th.
Schauele and Hovland put on a great show. Playing in the last group of a round that was interrupted for two hours due to thunderstorms, they handed over the best two cards of the day.
“I thought a 62 would have been enough to get me close,” Schauffele said. He played incredibly well. He got some big putts, he just played like a champ. »
“I can hold my head up high. I haven’t had this much fun losing in a long time. The feelings are strange. I played 62. I lost by five. Simply, congratulations to “Hovi”. He played very well to get into this position, it just adds icing on the cake for him and his team. »
Both players showed a cumulative 261 (-19) in this tournament. As the second seed, however, Hovland started the first round at -8, compared to -3 for Schauffele.
U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark (65) finished third, 11 strokes behind Hovland. He gets his hands on 5 million. Rory McIlroy (65) will get his hands on 4 million by virtue of fourth place.
Canadian Nick Taylor (72) took 25th place out of 30 participants, at -2. He edged compatriot Corey Conners (74) by one stroke.