Hovland Leads by 2 Shots "Title Defense GO"... What About 'Twist Swing' Wolff?

Worldwide Technology Championship Day 3: 9-Under 'Storm Shots', Koo Chi 2nd, World No.7 Thomas 3rd

Victor Hovland is teeing off on the 18th hole on the third day of the Worldwide Technology Championship. Riviera Maya (Mexico) = Getty Images / Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] Defending champion Viktor Hovland (Norway) is on a 'march for a 2nd consecutive victory.'

On the 7th (Korean time), at El Camaleon Golf Club (Par 71, 7,017 yards) in Riviera Maya, Mexico, during the third day of the 7th event of the 2021/2022 PGA Tour season, the Worldwide Technology Championship (total prize money $7.2 million), Hovland surged with a 9-under-par round to quickly take a 2-stroke lead (19-under-par 194). Taylor Gooch is in 2nd place (17-under-par 196), and world No. 7 Justin Thomas (both from the USA) is chasing in 3rd place (16-under-par 197).

Hovland is the player who set the amateur lowest score record (4-under-par 280) at the 2019 US Open, breaking a 59-year-old record. After turning professional and securing his card on the Korn Ferry (2nd tier) Tour, he immediately won the Puerto Rico Open last February, marking a milestone as the 'first Norwegian PGA champion.' In December, he reached his 2nd career win at this tournament. Despite runner-up finishes at the Farmers Open in January and the Workday Championship in February, his number of wins has been somewhat lacking.

On this day, he collected 9 birdies. He started well with a birdie on the 2nd hole (Par 4), followed by consecutive birdies on the 4th and 5th holes, a birdie on the 7th hole (Par 5), and again consecutive birdies on the 10th and 11th holes in the back nine. Then came a birdie on the 13th hole (Par 5), and finally consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to take the top spot on the leaderboard. He hit a maximum drive of 317 yards, and most impressively, despite missing the green 5 times, he managed to save par each time. His average putts per hole was an outstanding 1.54, showcasing his 'stingy putting.'

Justin Thomas is reading the putting line on the 6th hole during the third day of the World Wide Technology Championship. Riviera Maya, Mexico=Getty Images/Multibits Photo by Multibits

Thomas is the main contender to watch. Among the leaders, Carlos Ortiz (Mexico), playing on his home course, is 4th (14-under-par 199), and Sergio Garcia (Spain) is tied for 5th (13-under-par 200). Matthew Wolff (USA), known for his 'twist swing,' struggled with a 3-over-par round and is tied for 17th (10-under-par 203). After setting a course record of 10-under-par on the first day and maintaining momentum for two days, his iron shots faltered suddenly, resulting in only one birdie and four bogeys.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.