Hovland hails ‘best round ever’ | McIlroy: Viktor played amazing!

Viktor Hovland claimed a fifth PGA Tour title with a stunning two-shot win at the BMW Championship; Hovland set a new course record with a final-round 61 to hold off Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick in Illinois

Viktor Hovland believes he produced the round of his career so far to snatch a dramatic victory over world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick at the BMW Championship.

Hovland overturned a three-stroke deficit during a remarkable final day at Olympic Fields Country Club, where he birdied seven of his last nine holes to set a new course record with an amazing nine-under 61.

The fast finish saw the Norwegian star finish two strokes clear of Scheffler and Fitzpatrick, with his fifth PGA Tour title also seeing him jump to second in the FedExCup standings going into the season-ending Tour Championship.

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Watch the best shots from Viktor Hovland’s brilliant final round 61 as he triumphed at the BMW Championship.

Asked where that round ranked in his career, Hovland told Sky Sports: “It has to be number one. I remember playing a pretty special round of golf my first year on [the PGA] Tour, I shot seven under at Torrey Pines when it was hailing and windy and raining and that’s probably the best I’ve ever struck it throughout a round.

“But to shoot 61 and shoot 28 on the back nine at this golf course and under the circumstances, I have nothing that beats that.”

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Viktor Hovland was ecstatic after shooting 61 to win the BMW Championship by two shots.

Hovland, who mixed 10 birdies with a lone bogey, added: “I was thinking if I post a score like I did yesterday (65) I could at least have a chance, but it’s hard when you have so many guys in front of you that are really good. Catching heat on the back nine was what I had to do.”

The 25-year-old was playing alongside Ryder Cup team-mate and reigning FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy, who ended the week five strokes back in fourth spot after a four-under 66 on Sunday.

“I felt like I played very average out there next to Viktor [Hovland],” McIlroy said. “He played amazing. I was marking his card in there and I’m like, ‘oh, you only made one four on the back nine, the rest threes’, so it adds up to a nice little 28 for him. It was great to see. He played great. I sort of realized around like 14, 15 something pretty special was happening.

“He [Hovland] has had some great wins already this year. Had a great chance at the PGA Championship. Didn’t quite get it done, but yeah, he’s a world-class player and looking forwa