Amateur player stuns golf world with 'shot of the year'

How on earth do you make birdie from here?

Viktor Hovland has left the golf world in awe after becoming the first Scandinavian man to win the US Amateur Championship on Sunday.

The Norwegian never trailed en route to a comprehensive 6&5 win over American Devon Bling in the 36-hole title decider at Pebble Beach adjacent to the California coast.

“You always dream, and I knew that when I’m on my game I can win, but I wasn’t going into the week with a lot of confidence,” Hovland said.

The 20-year-old, who plays at Oklahoma State University, entered the championship ranked the number five amateur in the world.

He trailed for only one hole in his six matches.

He tied the record for fewest match play holes by a champion since the current format of five 18-hole rounds and a 36-hole final was adopted in 1979.

The crucial moment was an incredible save on the par-4 fourth hole, after his tee shot ended up embedded in the thicket, down an embankment.

He had to climb down about 20 meres to get to his ball and couldn’t see the hole from his position.

But he somehow managed to produce a sensational chip up onto the green, before converting for birdie.

“That’s the shot of the year,” a gobsmacked commentator said.

Previous winners of the U.S. Amateur include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones.

“Tiger who?” Hovland joked when asked how he felt having his name on the same trophy as Woods.

Among Hovland’s rewards are a trip to next year’s Masters at Augusta National and the U.S. Open, to be held on the same course where he triumphed on Sunday.

with AFP