Viktor Hovland claims BMW International Open title for first European Tour win
Viktor Hovland has won his third title as a professional tour player by sealing a two-shot victory at Golfclub München Eichenried in Germany.
Viktor Hovland has won his first European Tour title at the BMW International Open, securing a two-shot victory ahead of Martin Kaymer who rallied on day four in Germany.
Hovland made crucial birdies at the 13th and 16th holes to move to 19-under-par for the tournament. He becomes the first-ever Norwegian player to win on the European Tour.
"I'm kind of glad it's over, it was a long day and very stressful. It feels great and it will be nice to relax for a couple of weeks now," said Hovland.
"I saw he (Kaymer) was creeping from behind and Jorge (Campillo) was hanging on. After missing a bunch of putts then making a birdie on 13, that helped a lot.
A tap in birdie for a two shot victory
The winning moment for Viktor Hovland #BMWInternationalOpen pic.twitter.com/RpA2J7Ic5y
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 27, 2021
"The par save on 14 was big for momentum and after that, I just tried to play solid golf and not make too many mistakes. I had a three-putt on 17 but I had great birdies on 16 and 18 so it was good enough today.
"I am looking forward to a couple of weeks at home in Norway just to relax and see all my friends. With The Open, the Olympics and the Ryder Cup, there's so much golf to look forward to."
Hovland began the day with a three-shot lead ahead of Jorge Campillo on 17-under-par and for the third time in his four rounds in Munich on Sunday, he bogeyed the second hole.
The young Norwegian bounced back with a birdie at the 5th hole to open up a four-shot lead. But while Hovland moved along, Kaymer surged up the leaderboard.
The two-time major champion began eight shots behind on Sunday and although he bogeyed his first hole, he made birdies on seven of his next 11 holes.
The home favourite added three more birdies to post a fantastic score of 64 to post 17-under-par in the clubhouse. Hovland made a crucial birdie at the 13th hole and also the 16th hole to stamp his authority on the tournament.
Although he three-putted the 17h hole to make a bogey, he had a one-shot cushion heading into the final hole where he made a care-free birdie to complete a two-shot victory.
The World No. 14 has all but sealed his place in the European Ryder Cup side for the matches at Whistling Straits in September and he could be a great asset to Padraig Harrington's team.
