Viktor Hovland Successfully Defends Title at Mayakoba

THE incredible rise of Viktor Hovland continues as the young Norwegian successfully defended his title at the Mayakoba Championship in Mexico on Sunday, winning by four shots to secure his third PGA Tour victory.

The 24-year-old's four-under-par 67 in the final round at El Camaleon Golf Course saw him finish on a tournament-record 23 under par.

Hovland began the day with a two-shot lead and held off Mexico's Carlos Ortiz, who ended his round of 66 with five birdies in six holes. American Justin Thomas was third. The 2021 Players Championship winner finished on 18 under par with fellow countryman Scottie Scheffler a further shot back.

Hovland had extended his lead to six shots on the back nine, although Ortiz reduced it to three with those five birdies.

But the Norwegian always had enough in hand to cruise to the finish line and, despite a couple of errors down the stretch, a closing 67 was enough to secure a four-shot win.

Asked if it was his best week as a professional, Hovland replied: "I think I'll have to say so."

The world number 17 had an eventful time in Mexico, playing with a driver shaft borrowed from American James Hahn after breaking his own before the first round.

Hovland also recorded a PGA Tour career-low 62 on Saturday.

"I played pretty good golf throughout the week," he said. "I've been chipping it so good, making so many up and downs, it takes a lot of pressure off your long game. I've made some big strides and I hope I can keep it going that way."

It was Hovland's second title of the year, having won the European Tour's BMW International Open in Munich in June, while he now has seven top-five PGA Tour finishes in 2021.