'Taekwon Sonyeon' Hoblan "Did you see the 6-shot comeback?"…Morikawa "4-over-par mystery"

'Woods Host' Hero World Challenge Final Day 6-Under Storm Shots, Koepka 2nd, Morikawa Tied 5th

Viktor Hovland (right) is taking a commemorative photo with 'tournament host' Tiger Woods immediately after winning the Hero World Challenge. Bahamas=Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] It was a dramatic come-from-behind victory for the ‘Taekwondo Boy’ Viktor Hovland (Norway).

On the 6th (Korean time) at the Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas (par 72, 7,309 yards), the final day of the PGA Tour Hero World Challenge (total prize money $3.5 million) ended with Hovland shooting 6-under-par to secure a one-stroke victory (18-under-par 270). It is interesting that this special event was hosted by the ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (USA). Although it is not an official tournament, the winner’s prize was $1 million (1.19 billion KRW), and world ranking points were also at stake.

Hovland is the ‘first Norwegian PGA champion.’ During the 2019 US Open, he made waves by recording the lowest amateur score in 59 years (4-under-par 280), and after turning professional, he secured his card through the Korn Ferry (second-tier) Tour and immediately won the Puerto Rico Open in February last year. This year, despite finishing runner-up at the Farmers Open in January and the Workday Championship in February, and placing third at the Valspar Championship and Wells Fargo in May, his number of wins has been relatively low.

Hovland gained momentum again by winning the Worldwide Technology Championship on November 8, which counts toward the 2022 season. Successfully defending his title, he recorded his third career win. He is widely known among domestic fans as a Taekwondo black belt. After seven years of training as a child, he earned his black belt. He introduced Taekwondo as “a great help in strengthening mental toughness.” Starting the day tied for third place, six strokes behind, he combined two eagles, five birdies, and three bogeys.

He opened the scoring early with three consecutive birdies on holes 6 through 8, exchanged a birdie on the 11th hole (par 5) for a bogey on the 12th hole (par 3), and then produced back-to-back eagles on holes 14 and 15. The highlight was the greenside bunker shot eagle on the 14th hole (par 4). The eagle on the 15th hole (par 5) came from a ‘2-on 1-putt,’ and on the 16th hole (par 4), he made a ‘tap-in birdie’ from 220 yards. The consecutive bogeys on holes 16 and 17 at the end did not affect his victory. He enjoyed a commemorative photo with Woods, calling it a “wonderful day.”

World No. 2 Collin Morikawa is watching his ball right after the tee shot on the 2nd hole of the final day at the Hero World Challenge. Bahamas=Getty Images/Multivitz

Scottie Scheffler finished second (17-under-par 271), while ‘Sanderson Farms Champ’ Sam Burns and Patrick Reed tied for third place (15-under-par 274). The ‘4-over-par rollercoaster play’ of world No. 2 Collin Morikawa (USA) remains a mystery. Starting with a five-stroke lead, he managed only two birdies but gave up two bogeys and two double bogeys. His second shot on the 4th hole (par 4) flew into the trees left of the green, resulting in a double bogey, and a missed approach shot on the 6th hole (par 5) led to another double bogey, continuing a rough path.

Morikawa ultimately finished tied for fifth (14-under-par 274), missing the chance to become No. 1 in the absence of Jon Rahm (Spain). At 24 years old this year, he would have been the fourth player in history to become world No. 1 before turning 25, following Woods, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and Jordan Spieth (USA), but the record was not achieved. Justin Thomas (USA) joined the tied-for-fifth group with an 8-under-par daily best, while ‘The Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau (USA) remained tied for 14th (8-under-par 280).