Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Viktor Hovland birdies final hole to get first win in Puerto Rico

Written by 
Published in Golf
Sunday, 23 February 2020 08:44

Viktor Hovland rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole to capture his maiden PGA Tour victory in dramatic fashion at the Puerto Rico Open.

Hovland started the day with a one-shot lead, and at one point he built a three-shot advantage midway through the round. But after overcoming an ill-timed triple bogey, he was facing the prospect of a playoff with journeyman Josh Teater as he played the par-5 closing hole.

After his wedge came up short as rain fell in Rio Grande, the 22-year-old buried the birdie putt to finish the week at 20 under after a final-round 70 and polish off a breakthrough win.

"I hit some really good shots down the stretch," Hovland said. "The putt on the last was just a bonus."

Last year the former U.S. Amateur champ became the first player in more than 20 years to take low amateur honors at both the Masters and U.S. Open. He turned pro in June and nearly secured a PGA Tour card at the end of last season via non-member FedExCup points. But after becoming the first rookie to win this season, he's now fully exempt through 2022 and has earned spots in The Players and PGA Championship later this spring.

He's also expected to move into the top 60 in the latest world rankings, with the top 50 at the end of March invited to the Masters.

"Obviously you're trying to win every week, but I mean, to just do it, it's incredible," Hovland said. "It's a special feeling."

Hovland's victory means that the three most decorated members of the Class of 2019 have now all won Tour events within the first nine months of their pro career. Hovland's former teammate at Oklahoma State, Matthew Wolff, won the 3M Open in July, while Collin Morikawa won the Barracuda Championship that same month.

Teater, 40, is playing this season on conditional status and was looking for his first career PGA Tour win in his 193rd start. But his 15-foot birdie putt on No. 18 came up short, and he could only watch as Hovland made a putt of his own a few minutes later.

Viktor Hovland drained a 30-foot birdie putt to win the Puerto Rico Open and grab his first career PGA Tour victory, and these Norwegian announcers went nuts.

"Hat's off to Viktor," Teater said. "He's a great player, and we're going to see him do it more often."

Former PGA Tour winners Kyle Stanley and Emiliano Grillo were among a tie for third at 15 under, five shots behind Hovland, while veteran Jhonattan Vegas earned a T-9 finish thanks to a final-round 62.

Read 1647 times

Soccer

Havertz: I'll be the biggest Spurs fan for City clash

Havertz: I'll be the biggest Spurs fan for City clash

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsArsenal forward Kai Havertz has said he will be "the biggest Totten...

Ten Hag on Utd role: Swimming with hands tied

Ten Hag on Utd role: Swimming with hands tied

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErik ten Hag said managing Manchester United is like "swimming with...

Leverkusen 5-0: Bundesliga run hits fifty in rout

Leverkusen 5-0: Bundesliga run hits fifty in rout

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen crushed hosts VfL Bochum 5-0 on Sunday to stretch their remark...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Edwards on exchange with Murray: 'Keep talking'

Edwards on exchange with Murray: 'Keep talking'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMINNEAPOLIS -- With the clock winding down in the Minnesota Timberw...

Furious first-half flurry powers Nuggets in Game 4

Furious first-half flurry powers Nuggets in Game 4

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMINNEAPOLIS -- Nikola Jokic burned a double-team by finding Kentavi...

Baseball

Marlins option P Soriano, call up SS Gray from AAA

Marlins option P Soriano, call up SS Gray from AAA

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Miami Marlins purchased the contract of shortstop Tristan Gray...

Giants' Lee exits with hurt shoulder; MRI on tap

Giants' Lee exits with hurt shoulder; MRI on tap

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe San Francisco Giants placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated