LOS ANGELES (United States) — Viktor Hovland opened a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour Championship as Rory McIlroy surged back into contention in the final event of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Playing with a black ribbon on his cap to mourn the passing of King Harald, Norway’s Hovland made four birdies on the final six holes to finish 15-under par, one clear of Ryan Gerard.
With a $10 million top prize at stake, world number one Scottie Scheffler was among a quartet on 12-under par, while McIlroy finished a further two shots back after a superb seven-under-par 63 — the day’s joint lowest round.
Hovland had briefly pulled clear of overnight co-leader Gerard with a birdie on three, but bogeyed the next hole and spent most of Saturday trailing the American.
Gerard made birdies on six, seven and 12 for a two-stroke advantage, before the Norwegian began his charge with a curling downhill putt on 13.
Hovland, the 2023 Tour Championship winner, followed that up with more birdies on 15, 17 and 18.
“When I’ve given myself an opportunity, I’ve taken it. And here we are — after 54 holes, we’re in a good spot,” he said.
“If I can keep hitting fairways and give myself a few more looks, I think I’m pretty deadly with that putter,” Hovland added according to AFP.
Despite being tied third, Scheffler cut a frustrated figure missing several good birdie putts, but scored a bogey-free 66.
His expletive-laden rant had to be muted by broadcasters after one attempt broke unexpectedly on 13.
“I was close on the putts man,” he said. “It’s challenging to hole putts. I’ll just keep giving myself the looks, and hopefully they’ll drop tomorrow,” Scheffler added.
Scheffler was joined on 12-under by Adam Scott, Ludvig Aberg and Chris Gotterup.
