OLYMPIA FIELDS (AFP) — Norway’s Viktor Hovland birdied seven of the last nine holes to fire a course-record 61 on Sunday and win the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship, the penultimate FedEx Cup playoff event.
The 25-year-old from Oslo made 10 birdies against a lone bogey, shooting 28 on the back nine for a nine-under par total that left him on 17-under 263 after 72 holes at Olympia Fields in suburban Chicago.
“Definitely has to be the best round I’ve ever played,” Hovland said.
“Given the circumstances, playoff round at this golf course and finish the way I did the last nine holes was pretty special.”
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler of the United States and England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, last year’s US Open winner, fired 66s to share second on 265 with world number two Rory McIlroy fourth on 268 after a 66.
Hovland sank a birdie putt from just beyond six feet at the 18th to break the old course record of 62, set Friday by American Max Homa and matched Saturday by American Sam Burns.
