Viktor Hovland marches six shots clear with $18m on line at Tour Championship

Viktor Hovland surged into a six-stroke lead at the Tour Championship at East Lake, with the winner taking home $18m for being crowned ths season-long FedEx Cup champion.

Hovland, 25, carded a solid 4-under 66 in the third round to move to 20-under par and six shots clear of his nearest pursuer and course specialist Xander Schauffele, who carded a 68.

The Norwegian won last week's BMW Championship to move into second place in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup standings.

As a result of that, Hovland started the week at 8-under par in the staggered scoring start in the FedEx Cup finale. 

Following rounds of 68 and 64 to move into a tie for the lead thru 36 holes, Hovland vaulted into the outright lead thanks to back-to-back birdies on 6 and 7. 

He then made three birdies in the space of four holes from the 12th, during a weather delay, before making pars to the house. 

Viktor Hovland leads the way heading into Sunday @TOURChamp

(Presented by @ROLEX) pic.twitter.com/BdGWBaYbUZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 27, 2023

"I don't think I've ever played this well before," said Hovland, with a beaming smile after his third round.

Collin Morikawa, who shared the 36-hole lead with Hovland, struggled badly with a 73 and he looks on from seven strokes back on 13-under par with Keegan Bradley. 

Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler are well off the pace at 11-under par, with an injured Rory McIlroy further back on 9-under par. 

Rory McIlroy shocks golf fans with gigantic drive at East Lake despite a back injury.

Watch: ⤵️https://t.co/hGpEeGHmMh

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 26, 2023

McIlroy came from six shots back to win a third FedEx Cup title last season, but he will now start this year's final round 11 strokes behind Hovland. 

Tour Championship 3rd Round Leaderboard

-20 V Hovland

-14 X Schauffele

-13 C Morikawa, K Bradley

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