(Dublin) Viktor Hovland had three important putts at Muirfield Village and beat Denny McCarthy on the first hole of overtime to win the Memorial Tournament on Sunday.
Hovland scored 70 (-2) and forced overtime after scoring a birdie on 17e pennant, following a long putt from a distance of 30 feet. He also saved a par from the back of the 18e Green.
Back to 18e hole for overtime, Hovland just placed his ball in front of the green, about 60 feet from the flag. He putt twice to score a par.
It was Hovland’s fourth victory on the PGA Tour, but a first in the United States. The Norwegian had previously triumphed twice in Mexico and once in Puerto Rico.
It was a tough loss for McCarthy, who is one of the PGA’s top putters. He showed his touch on the greens by saving important pars, but bogeyed on the 18e hole – on two occasions.
McCarthy held a one-shot lead when he missed the fairway on 18e hole. He then missed a putt from 25 feet for par. In overtime, his second shot rolled to the bottom of the 18e green, about fifty yards from the hole. He made an approach, but his par putt hit the hole without seeing the ball fall.
Scottie Scheffler shot 67 and finished the tournament in third place. He missed overtime by one shot. The number one in the world did not finish lower than 12e level in his 13 starts this season.
Leader at the start of the day, Rory McIlroy tumbled to a tie for seventh after going 75. He bogeyed seven times, including three in a row on the back nine, in the final round.
The only Canadian to avoid the ax, Taylor Pendrith shot 76 to finish the event tied for 60e place.