Hovland wins again in Bahamas; Meronk wins in Australia

NASSAU, Bahamas — Viktor Hovland won the Hero World Challenge with more excitement than he needed Sunday, clinching it with a 20-foot bogey putt on the final hole for a 3-under 69 to join tournament host Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners.

Hovland had a two-shot lead on the 18th when his 6-iron from the slope above a bunker turned hard left and into the water. He took a penalty drop and hit a full wedge to about 20 feet for a chance to save bogey.

Scottie Scheffler was in the sandy area right of the green, and his chip ran hard over the lip and settled 10 feet away, giving him a par putt to force a playoff if Hovland missed.

Hovland holed the bogey putt for another trophy presentation with Woods. It was far different from a year ago, when he rallied from six shots behind.

Woods won in 2006 and 2007 when it was held at Sherwood Country Club. He had to withdraw this week with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, instead watching in his Sunday red shirt for some drama no one was expecting.

Hovland finished at 16-under 272 and won $1 million. The victory is unofficial, but the world ranking points pushed him up three spots to No. 9.

Scheffler bogeyed the last hole for a 68 to finish two back. It was his second straight year as runner-up in the Bahamas.

Scheffler needed to win to return to No. 1 in the world, at least for a few weeks. Rory McIlroy was projected to finish the year at the top of the ranking regardless of the outcome.

EUROPEAN TOUR AND PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA

MELBOURNE, Australia — Adrian Meronk of Poland capped off a big weekend with a 35-foot eagle putt on the final hole for a 4-under 66 and a five-shot victory in the Australian Open for his second European tour title.

Meronk went 63-66 on the weekend and quickly overcame 54-hole leader Adam Scott. He became the first European winner of golf’s fifth-oldest championship since Rory McIlroy in 2013.