Albany is biting again as the very best 36-hole lead in match historical past was turned in on the midway level of the 2022 Hero World Challenge. While the seven earlier editions of this match held in The Bahamas featured birdies in bunches and midway leads within the double-digits beneath par vary, this 12 months is a stark distinction. Yet regardless of this variation within the scoring setting, it’s Viktor Hovland, the person who completed atop the leaderboard a 12 months in the past, who’s in the identical place after 36 holes.
Signing for a 2-under 70 on Friday, the Norwegian stands at 5 beneath as he was in a position to separate himself ever so barely from a stacked leaderboard. With Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young trailing Hovland by a single stroke, the 25-year-old admitted he anticipated scores to be higher despite the circumstances.Â
“It was tough,” mentioned Hovland. “We are kind of grinding over every 3 or-4-four footer out there, and they certainly don’t feel like gimmes. This wind just makes everything just a little bit harder, even those basic chip shots, they’re not so basic anymore. I still would have expected the scores to be a little bit lower.”
With the wind anticipating to persist, world-class ball strikers ought to solely proceed to gravitate to the highest of the leaderboard. PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, former world No. 1 Jon Rahm and the red-hot Tony Finau are proper behind the preliminary chasing pack in what’s setting as much as be a memorable Hero World Challenge to wrap up 2022.
The chief
1. Viktor Hovland (-5)
There have been solely three eagles by way of the primary two rounds, and two of them belong to Hovland. Nearly acing the par-4 14th on Thursday, Hovland holed out on the par-5 sixth on Friday for his second of the week. With a transparent consolation degree within the wind and on coastal golf programs, it’s no shock see his identify occupying the highest spot on the leaderboard, even when he was his greatest critic after his second spherical.
“I put myself in the fairway a lot, but it’s kind of strange, like I knew it was windy and I feel like I missed so many putts. And I still don’t feel like I’m hitting it very good, like I’m not comfortable over the ball, but the ball’s going straight and I’m giving myself looks,” mentioned Hovland. “It just doesn’t feel that great, and I’m missing a lot of putts, and somehow we ended up at 2 under today, so yeah, happy with that.”
Other contenders
T3. Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Collin Morikawa (-4)
6. Tom Kim (-3)
7. Justin Thomas (-2)
T8. Billy Horschel, Sepp Straka (-1)
T10. Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm, Tony Finau (E)Â
Not all motivations are the identical this week as some spend high quality trip time with their households whereas others placed on a severe face. Put world No. 2 Scheffler within the latter class because the Texan has his eyes on the prize amid his second look within the Hero World Challenge. Standing just one stroke again, a win would put Scheffler again atop the world of golf — albeit solely briefly as Rory McIlroy will end 2022 as world No. 1 it doesn’t matter what.
“I’m definitely not showing up to finish 20th or whatever it is. I’ve been practicing. I like to practice,” mentioned Scheffler. (*2*)
A story of two nines for Tony Finau
At first look, it was a ho-hum spherical of even-par 72 for Finau. However, upon nearer inspection, the distinction between his entrance 9 and again 9 could not be extra completely different. Carding 5 bogeys on his outward half, the four-time PGA Tour winner turned in 4-over 40.Â
Drifting outdoors the highest 15 of this 20-man subject, Finau discovered his stride coming residence. With 4 birdies towards zero dropped photographs over his last 9 holes, Finau clawed his manner again to even par for the match and in with a slight likelihood over the weekend.
2022 Hero World Challenge up to date odds and picks
Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
- Viktor Hovland: 4-1
- Scottie Scheffler: 4-1
- Xander Schauffele: 4-1
- Collin Morikawa: 7-1
- Cameron Young: 7-1
- Tom Kim: 11-1
- Justin Thomas: 14-1
- Jon Rahm: 18-1
- Tony Finau: 28-1
It shouldn’t be typically there are three favorites heading into the weekend of a golf match. While Hovland holds the slight edge, he’s matched on the percentages board by Scheffler and Schauffele. With nonetheless a lot golf to be performed and the circumstances anticipating to proceed, I do not thoughts taking a shot at a pair gamers within the chasing pack. Justin Thomas at 14-1 is attention-grabbing given his means to play within the wind, and the identical logic goes for Tony Finau at 28-1.