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A16 SPORTS
Monday 7 deceMber 2020

Hovland birdies the last hole to win Mayakoba Classic

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Viktor softened by rain that caused a two-hour
Hovland of Norway holed a 12-foot birdie delay in the morning. But he made bogey
putt on the 18th hole Sunday for a 6-under on the 12th hole, and that seemed to cre-
65 and a one-shot victory in the Mayako- ate chances for a half-dozen players sep-
ba Golf Classic, his second PGA Tour vic- arated by one shot along the back nine.
tory this year. Hovland responded with birdies on the
It was the first time since the Mayakoba next two holes, and he appeared to be
Classic began in 2007 that it was won in control with a tee shot to 4 feet on the
with a birdie putt on the final hole. For the par-3 15th. But he hit a tentative putt to re-
23-year-old Hovland, it's old hat. He made main tied with Wise, and Hovland thought
a 30-foot birdie putt on the last hole to win he was in big trouble when his long iron on
the Puerto Rico Open in February. the 515-yard 16th hole sailed hard to the
Aaron Wise closed with a 63 and did ev- right toward the mangrove trees.
erything right over the last two holes ex- It came down in the waste area a few feet
cept make the birdie putts. Tied for the from the hazard, and he hit a splendid
lead, he missed birdie putts from 12 feet sand shot to 4 feet to save par.
Viktor Hovland of Norway plays on the 1st Hole during the final on each of the last two holes at El Cama- Hovland, starting his second season on the
round of the PGA Tour Mayakoba Golf Classic, in Playa del Car- leon Golf Club. Hovland had four birdies in PGA Tour after a stellar college career at
men, Mexico, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. the opening six holes and built a two-shot Oklahoma State, finished at 20-under 264
Associated Press lead going into the back nine on a course and moved to No. 15 in the world.q