Viktor Hovland regains winning feeling
Viktor Hovland, of Norway, reacts as he hold the trophy after winning the Valspar Championship golf tournament Sunday at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida. Picture: Chris O'Meara/AP
Viktor Hovland returned to the winner’s circle, outlasting Justin Thomas and the Copperhead Course en route to a one-shot victory at the Valspar Championship.
Hovland birdied the 16th and 17th - part of the closing 'Snake Pit' - to regain the lead, and closed out the tournament despite a bogey on his final hole.
Both Séamus Power and Shane Lowry were in the mix in the PGA Tour event, but eventually both finished on six under, five behind Hovland who shot 67.
A final round 68 wasn't enough for Tom McKibbin to take victory at the weather-affected Porsche Singapore Classic yesterday.
The 22-year-old finished two shots adrift of tournament winner Richard Mansell.
The Irishman began the final round one off the lead - the tournament was reduced to 54 holes following Thursday's washout – and picked up a couple of shots on the front nine.
Ultimately, Mansell claimed his maiden DP World Tour title with a six-under-par round of 66.
He was one shot clear of Japan's Keita Nakajima while McKibbin was tied for third alongside Adrien Saddier of France.
Mansell's first visit to the winner's circle came in David Kenny's first week on his bag and the 29-year-old was full of praise for him.
He said: "What a feeling. Just to get into that position, and I played so well today.
"First week with a new caddie so that was a good start and he just, a couple of times, got me to slow down.
"And it makes those near-misses and when I've got ahead of myself in the past just kind of worth it and it just means that much more.
"One thing I'd say to people trying to do it as a career, that moment's the most fulfilling thing in the world and it's worth it.
"So stick in and hopefully you'll get rewarded one day like I have today."
Elsewhere, Sergio Garcia's missed 3-foot putt cost him a spot in The Open Championship.
Playing Sunday in the final round of the International Series Macau in China -- a stop on the Asian Tour -- Garcia needed to finish in the top three to qualify for The Open at Royal Portrush. But the miscue on the short putt on No. 18 at the Macau Golf and Country Club left him in fourth place. Garcia shot a 65.
Instead, Garcia's fellow LIV golfers Carlos Ortiz of Mexico and Jason Kokrak captured the spots available for The Open, to be held in Northern Ireland on July 17-20.
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed also secured his return to the Open with a second-placed finish.
Rookie Mimi Rhodes, who played in last year’s winning GB&I Curtis Cup team, clinched her maiden Ladies European Tour title after holding off the challenge of Alessandra Fanali and home favourite Kirsten Rudgeley at the Ford Women’s NSW Open.
The Bath-born 23-year-old carded just two birdies - in her first four holes at Wollongong Golf Club - in an otherwise regulation round to shoot 69 for a 17-under total, two better than her rivals.
Playing partner Fanali birdied the 17th to get within a shot but had to take a penalty drop at the par-five last after pulling her drive to allow Rhodes, in only her fourth tournament as a full member, the comfort of closing out with a 14th successive par for victory.
Fanali, after a 64, finished in a share of second with Rudgeley, who shot a 68.
"I'm honestly still in shock but I'm so happy. I've worked really hard for this ," said Rhodes, who shot a course-record 62 on Friday after missing the cut at last week's Australian Women's Classic.
"I was fine on the front nine but when it started to get tight I got a bit stressed. I kept breathing and tried to remain focused. It's difficult in those situations but I'm just really glad I got it done."
