GOLF

Hovland dominates, repeats at Mayakoba

Team Europe's Viktor Hovland putts on the 11th hole during a practice day at the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Team Europe's Viktor Hovland putts on the 11th hole during a practice day at the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Viktor Hovland won again on the PGA Tour, this time without a clutch finish. The Norwegian star was too dominant to give anyone else a chance Sunday in the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba.

Hovland seized control with three birdies on the front nine, and never let Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas or anyone else get closer than three shots the rest of the way.

He closed with a 4-under 67 for a four-shot lead over Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, making him the first repeat winner since Mayakoba began in 2007.

Hovland won last year with a birdie putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory. He also made birdie on his last hole when he won the Puerto Rico Open in the spring of 2020.

There was no need for that this time. For the final two hours, everyone was playing for second.

"I wish I could putt like I did today more often," said Hovland, who made 28 birdies for the week at El Camaleon. "It was just a blast all week."

Hovland finished at 23-under 261 and moved to No. 10 in the world ranking.

Ortiz made a 30-foot par putt after a plugged lie in the bunker on the 18th for a 66 to finish alone in second, a difference of $144,000 if he had two-putted for bogey and tied with Thomas.

Thomas had an early bogey and didn't make as many birdies to make up a three-shot deficit on Hovland, especially the way Hovland was putting.

Scheffler shot 66 and finished alone in fourth.

"Viktor's playing some good golf so he's obviously going to be tough to catch," Scheffler said. "I had to make a few more birdies towards the end and wasn't able to do that."

Matthew Wolff, the 36-hole leader who fell out of the mix with a 74 in the third round, bounced back with a 65 on Sunday to tie for fifth with Joaquin Niemann (66).

Andrew Landry (Arkansas Razorbacks) finished in a tie for seventh with others at 15 under.

Upcoming Events