NASSAU, Bahamas — The warm sunshine in the Bahamas brought out a lot of mud on the rain-soaked fairways. This created some wild shots that were enjoyed by just about everyone. Viktor Hovland. He made 10 birdies Saturday to take a three-shot lead at the Hero World Challenge.
Hovland had six birdies on Albanys back nine, and then he finished with a bogey on the 18th. That gave him an 8-under 64. Tiger WoodsAs the only back-toback winners of this tournament.
I hit a lot just good quality iron shots to give me 7 to 12 feet. Hovland said that although it wasnt as if I hit one amazing shot and stuff it, it was more like I was giving myself looks.
He was at 13-under203 and made it seem easy. Even with some of weeks best scoring, it wasnt so easy for the rest of 20-man field.
Scottie SchefflerWho can get to No. He is the No. 1 player in the world, with a win. He dropped only one shot and had an 18-foot eagle on the par-5 15, which gave him a 66, which placed him in the final group alongside Hovland. It was a great day for his card. It was difficult on the emotions to see so much mud on his card that he didnt know where it was going.
Who is good at these? Scheffler said that you have no idea what the ball is going to do. Its not something I would practice at home because its something I believe should not happen on the course.
The Masters champions greatest work was not his five birdies and his Eagle, but not letting the mud balls get to his head.
Everyone had to deal, some more so than others. Justin ThomasFigures, the only guy who got a break was Rick Wild, a PGA Tour official who records all scores at the end. Its a small field.
Only 20 people are complaining, versus 120. Thomas said that Thomas might find it a little easier to do this. Its unfortunate. Its possible to get some truly, really unfortunate breaks and situations. However, everyone has to deal with it. The more you allow it to get to you, the worse it will be for you.
Thomas was bogey free for a 66, tied with Cameron Young (68).
Young, the PGA Tour rookie-of-the-year, was able to overcome his misfortunes well. He finished with a 31 on his front nine and his sixth round of birdie on No. He was leading by two, and was in the middle fairway on the par-5 eleventh.
He decided to lay up with his 4-iron and saw the ball fly straight out to his right and into the bush. This led to a penalty shot and then he played the next one, making bogey. He made a second bogey on the par 5 and was forced to settle for a score of 68, leaving him five shots behind.
Young stated, The one that really hurt was on 11. I feel like I made an excellent swing, but it was into the trees. You dont need a great shot to get a good birdie shot. It was definitely a pain. Yes, there were some.
Kevin KisnerA hole-in-one with a 6-iron on the 12th green was his highlight on a day that saw him shoot 77.
Kisner stated that he was putting the worst shot of his career today and decided to go for 189 yards. But it was a lot simpler on par 3s, because you got a clean golf ball.
The PGA Tour decided to play down the ball because the majority of the course looked in good shape. Officials were concerned about four to five fairways. However, the mud was evident from fairways that were flooded with rain on Wednesday.
Hovland had three straight birdies from the front nine. They were all at 15 feet or greater. He then really took off on his back nine. He twice putted for birdie. He hit 6-iron to 12 yards on the par-3 12, hit 9-iron for 7 feet on that hole, and then got some separation with an 8.iron to 15ft on the 16th and an 7.iron to 8ft on the 17th.
He played so good I almost felt bad about my round, Xander SchauffeleHe said this after a 69 had left him six back. It was clean. It was so beautiful, I didn’t even realize what it was until he reached the end.
Woods won the World Challenge in 2006, and 2007, when it was held at Sherwood Country Club in California. This week, he is not playing due to plantar faciitis in his right leg that forced him to withdraw on Monday.
