Viktor Hovland races next to Justin Thomas to win in Valspar Championship

Palm Harbor, Fla. – Viktor Hovland found a swing that worked on the heavy plant in Innisbrook on Sunday, making three late birds to reduce Justin Thomas with 4-man’s 67 to win in a first place at the Championship in Valspar.

Hovland changed the coaches five times since last won in the Eastern Lake for FedExcup 2023. Years. He was not entirely safe where these recordings went from. The frustration was as big as when he arrived in Innisbrook think that he had no chance of victory.

“I honestly didn’t believe I could do that this week,” he said.

It looked dark even after Hovland and Thomas finally separated from the package during the last round that nine players had at some point at some point.

Hovland was three shots behind Thomas when he opened the bird 12 feet on a par-5 14. To start his incredibly running. He hit a 7-iron on a stuck pine at 16. Hole – the hardest hole on the Cakari Course – at 5 feet for a bird who tied him for leadership.

And then he took a dead target on the back PIN on a PAR-3, at 12 feet for a bird, which turned into a two-wheeled pillow when Thomas had fallen late.

Thomas is a little easier on Hovland. He made four birds in the five hole on his back nine, and he continued in front of three years when he started 15. Green. But he chose the driver 16. and hit the trees, leaving him without leaving the choice but to get out to the harbor. Thomas had to get down from the bunker to run away with Bogey.

Hovska caught him with birds 16. And Thomas was 18. He was in trouble with a ride in deep rough on the left side that brought to Bogey. He was 7 under 15 holes, but he had to settle for 66.

Hovland played on a safe 18. with two-way lead, and his Bogey just determined the final margin. He finished in 11-under 273 for his week to win a career that hits him back in the top 10 in the world.

This may not have seen him coming.

Hovland spoke openly about the frustrations of his supreme strike in the ball that becomes responsible. He missed three straight cuts coming to Valspar Championship, including 80 in the first round of the player’s championship ago. Hovland did not make a cut of 36 holes against full field because Scottish opened last summer.

So, what happened?

“I have no idea,” he said with laughter when his victory was safe.

Jacob Bridgeman, who started with a three-way share of the leading, is required for the hole from the plate 18. to 18. To force the playoffs. He wounded with a couple and ended up a third.

“I hit a lot of disgusting shots, but they happened to go where I looked,” Hovland said. “Somehow I managed to guess the good shots that can be much more often.”

Below were just big shots. Hovland chose to put on 14. – He went to the greenery in two on Saturday and made Bogee – and had to rely on the 12-legged, slippery bird that he had a chance. That was a big one who did it.

PIN 16. Was returned to the right, protected in front and right by the bunker, and his blow never left the flag. And then he came to a video and a bird, 17. place.

Thomas remained wondering what went wrong. His always hit the driver 16. And he realized that he was worse that he could earn 5. He quickly realized that Hovland did a lot of good good.

“I had a lot of chance this season, but nothing like,” Thomas said, whose last victory was 2022. PGA championship in the southern hill.

“I felt so well, so excited for every shot,” he said. “Damn, I can’t do a lot. He birds like 16 and 17. I obviously did much easier. It’s really hard – but really fun – trying to beat golf tournaments.”

Bud Cauley (66), Billy Horschel (67) and Ryo Hisatsune (68) Tied for the neighborhood. Horschel submitted the most amazing shot in Innisbrook in Innisbrook when his ball encounters a tree on a couple-5-fifth holes. He introduced a 9-iron and swung his left hand, hit him 117 meters on the green and turns the bird putt from only the outside of 30 feet.