Hovland wins Travelers play-off after Scheffler miss

Norway's Viktor Hovland was roared on by World Cup fansImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Hovland has finished in the top three at three majors in his career

ByTom Rostance
BBC Sport journalist

Travelers Championship final round

-21 V Hovland (Nor), S Scheffler (US); -20 C Morikawa (US); -19 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -18 W Clark (US), A Bhatia (US)

Selected others: -17 J.J. Spaun (US), A Fitzpatrick (Eng); -16 R MacIntyre (Sco); -14 N Hoejgaard (Den), K Bradley (US), T Fleetwood (Eng)

Full leaderboard

Norway's Viktor Hovland was roared on by World Cup fans as he won a play-off to beat world number one Scottie Scheffler and claim the Travelers Championship title.

Norway's 'viking row' made an appearance on the course this weekend with a Norwegian contingent making the trip from Boston to TPC River Highlands in Connecticut to cheer on Hovland.

Hovland had a one-shot lead going into the fourth round and was close to clinching victory on the 18th, but his birdie attempt from 25 feet narrowly missed as he carded a one-under 69.

That meant a play-off on Monday and Hovland, 28, only needed one extra hole to take the title.

Scheffler rolled his effort wide after Hovland had made a birdie, with the Norwegian banking £2.72m ($3.6m).

He said: "It's been stressful, but it's unbelievable.

"I knew I had to bring out my best to have a chance of beating Scottie, and I couldn't be happier. I know how good I can get and I keep pushing myself and wanting to get better.

"When I fall short it really annoys me but I did a really good job. I didn't start well on Thursday and I didn't let it bother me. I couldn't be happier."

Norway next play in the World Cup on Tuesday against Ivory Coast in Dallas, the hometown of Scheffler.

Scheffler said: "I've been playing golf with Viktor for a long time. We've had some good battles in college and out here as a pro. He has so much talent.

"He hits the ball so solidly. I remember playing with him at Bay Hill a few years ago and I was just telling him, like, 'Dude, you just hit the ball like so solid every time.'

"It's really quite impressive. He's a guy that has a lot of talent and works really hard. So those are the types of guys you like to see have success."

Related topics