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)
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.”
