Viktor Hovland makes waves as Patrick Cantlay's 60s streak is over
Viktor Hovland moved up in the world rankings to a new record high while Patrick Cantlay's five month scoring record comes to an end.
You get the feeling that no matter what happens in Viktor Hovland's career he will always be smiling.
An airline loses your clubs? A bit annoying, but still smiling. One of your fellow professionals snaps your driver? Not a problem.
Smiling Hovland was in typically fine form again last week on the DP World Tour for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
At Yas Links, Hovland was really in contention to win. But a catastrophic triple bogey put an end to his chances.
Hovland recovered, or at least attempted to with an eagle but in the end left himself just too much to do.
With his T3 finish, Hovland also got another reason to smile after he rose in the official rankings. He's now up to fifth for the very first time.
That's what back-to-back wins on the PGA Tour and good displays elsewhere will do for you. It begs the question, how far will he rise.
As things stand, only Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa and Jon Rahm are ranked better than him.
Will Viktor Hovland be the best player in the world one day?
— GolfMagic.com (@GolfMagic) January 24, 2022
More: How golf fans reacted to Jon Rahm's rage
The streak is over for Patty Ice
Patrick Cantlay went five months quietly (?) scoring 21 consecutive rounds in the 60s.
Let's be fair, that is quite an achievement for the reigning FedEx Cup champion.
It speaks volumes for his level of talent and just how consistent he has been.
What a ferocious competitor he has become. Now the 29-year-old is talked about as the man to beat.
That run, sadly, came to an end at The American Express on the PGA Tour when he signed for a Saturday 72.
Cantlay eventually finished ninth, five strokes behind emotional winner Hudson Swafford.
Patrick Cantlay shot 72 today, ending his streak of 21 consecutive rounds in the 60s. It was the longest such streak on the PGA Tour since they started keeping track 40 years ago.
Today (72) was Cantlay's first round in the 70s on the PGA Tour since August 5.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 22, 2022
