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Hovland makes history with German win

golf27 June 2021 16:24
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Viktor Hovland became the first Norwegian winner in European Tour history as he completed a two shot victory at the 2021 BMW International Open.

The 23-year-old entered the final day at Golfclub München Eichenried with a three shot advantage but local hero Martin Kaymer carded a stunning 64 to join him at the summit and set the target at 17 under.

After a grinding first 12 holes, Hovland birdied the 13th and 16th to lead by two but a three putt on the penultimate hole left him with just a one shot lead stood on the tee at the par five 18th.

There was no question as to where the trophy was headed, however, as he showed nerves of steel to hit a perfect drive and find the green in two, making a birdie to get to 19 under after a 70.

Spaniard Jorge Campillo finished third at 15 under after a 71, a shot clear of France's Victor Dubuisson, who completed his week with a 67.

Hovland has already broken barriers for his country, winning twice on the US PGA Tour and this triumph takes him to a career high 13th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

He also moves into the top ten of the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and strengthens his position as he looks to become the first Norwegian to play in the Ryder Cup.

"I’m kind of glad it’s over,” he said. “It was a long day, it was very stressful, but it feels great and it will be nice to relax for a couple of weeks now.

"It's The Open, Olympics, Ryder Cup, there's so much golf to look forward to and I'm just going to have a blast."

He added: "I saw (Kaymer) was creeping up from behind and Jorge was hanging on and after missing a bunch of putts, making the birdie on 13 helped a lot and the par save on 14, that was big for momentum.

"After that, I just tried to play pretty solid golf, not make too many mistakes, I had a three putt on 17 but great birdies on 16 and 18 - it was good enough today."

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