Viktor Hovland Denies Scottie Scheffler, Sets Up Must-Watch Travelers Championship Finale
January 5, 2024; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Scottie Scheffler (left) and Viktor Hovland (right) shake hands on the 18th hole during the second round of The Sentry golf tournament at Kapalua Golf - The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 5, 2024; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Scottie Scheffler (left) and Viktor Hovland (right) shake hands on the 18th hole during the second round of The Sentry golf tournament at Kapalua Golf - The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Scottie Scheffler led for most of Saturday. Then the final hole happened, and Viktor Hovland walked off TPC River Highlands with the lead instead.
Hovland shot a 6-under 64 in round three of the Travelers Championship on Saturday, June 27, in Cromwell, Connecticut, to move to 20-under par, one shot clear of Scheffler heading into Sunday's final round of the PGA Tour's last signature event of the season.
Speaking to reporters after his round at TPC River Highlands on Saturday, Hovland didn't hide his enjoyment.
"It was really fun," he said, per a transcript by ASAP Sports. "Just had a great time. You know, it's been a while since I've been in this position. To go head-to-head against the best player in the world and pull off some great shots, it was just a lot of fun."
The lead changed hands on the 18th hole. Scheffler ran a 25-foot putt from the fringe 8 feet past the cup and missed the comebacker for bogey. Hovland made a 6-foot birdie on the same hole to flip the leaderboard at the day's last entry.
Hovland started round three two shots behind. He needed four holes, three birdies, to pull level with Scheffler.
The two traded mostly pars and stayed tied until Scheffler briefly retook the lead with a lob wedge to 2 feet on the 14th. Hovland answered, and the 18th settled it.
Patrick Cantlay and Akshay Bhatia sit five back in a tie for third at 15-under, with the bulk of the field further back.
Hovland missed the cut at last week's U.S. Open, but he stayed at Shinnecock Hills to practice and improve his game. That showed in his performance as his 20-under through 54 holes is far ahead of his season scoring average of 70.6.
Moreover, his last two tournament wins both came after he missed the cut the week before.
Scottie Scheffler Eyes First Win Since the California Desert
May 11, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Scottie Scheffler on the the eighteenth green during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
May 11, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Scottie Scheffler on the the eighteenth green during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Scheffler goes into Sunday's final round still looking for his first win since winning The American Express on January 25.
Even though the world No. 1 has finished in the top 10 eight times this year, he has not won a tournament since the California events at the start of the 2026 season. His round three at TPC River Highlands was largely strong.
He briefly retook the lead with a lob wedge to 2 feet on the 14th and matched Hovland hole for hole through most of the day. The 18th hole cost him, a three-putt bogey on a putt he ran 8 feet past, but he heads into Sunday just one shot back.
Scheffler addressed his mindset at his post-round press conference Saturday at TPC River Highlands.
"Definitely a lot of birdies out there," he said as reported by Golfweek. "Going into tomorrow, just try to execute, have a good round, and see where that puts me."
The Travelers Championship carries a $20 million purse. Scheffler tees off Sunday one shot behind Hovland in the final pairing, seeking his second win of the 2026 season.
Written by
Sneha Abraham