Viktor Hovland moved into the automatic Ryder Cup qualification spots on the World Points List after successfully defending his Hero World Challenge title at Albany Golf Club.
The win launched the 2020 Ryder Cup debutant up 13 places and into the top qualifying spot on the World Points List with 53.50 points as he chases a second appearance for Team Europe.
Rounds of 69-70-64-69 were enough to see off American challenger Scottie Scheffler, however despite taking a five-shot lead into the back nine, it was a lengthy bogey putt at the 18th after finding a water hazard with his approach shot which eventually crowned Hovland champion for a second time in the Bahamas.
He also joins Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winner of the Hero World Challenge.
“It was a lot more stressful than it should have been,” Hovland said. “I hit plenty of terrible shots today. It’s making those putts and keeping yourself in it.
“There were too many weeks where I just kind of had to grind and get through the round instead of showing up and attacking and feel like I was going to shoot seven or eight under.
“That's been a little frustrating. I feel like I still have some work to do there, but this is obviously a huge step in the right direction.”
Should Hovland make Luke Donald’s 2023 Ryder Cup team at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club it will be his first home Ryder Cup as part of Team Europe.
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Meanwhile, Adrian Meronk stormed to his second DP World Tour victory at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne.
An impressive eagle at the last saw the Polish golfer win by five strokes, despite being in danger of missing the cut when he found himself four over par after 16 holes of his opening round.
However, rounds of 66-63-66 saw Meronk collect his second DP World Tour victory and move eight places up the European Points List into 13th place with 583.96 points.
Meronk said: “The Ryder Cup is definitely on my mind. I know there’s a long way to go but if I do keep playing like that, I think I should make the team and that will be a dream come true for me.”
Should Meronk make the team, he will become the first Polish golfer to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup.
As it stands Jon Rahm (1,850.00 points), Rory McIlroy (1,021.50 points) and Shane Lowry (898.00 points) would claim the three automatic qualifying spots on the European Points List, with Hovland (53.50 points), Alex Noren (41.83 points), Tommy Fleetwood (37.56 points) currently sitting in the top three positions on the World Points List.
The 2023 Ryder Cup will take place between Sept. 25 – Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy.
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