Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: Hot putter helps Viktor Hovland shoot 64 in Yas Links opener
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The Norwegian fired a superb round of 8-under par to finish the first day of the DP World Tour Rolex Series event just one back from leader Scott Jamieson.
World No.7 Viktor Hovland hit the ground running on day one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links, his afternoon lap of 8-under 64 putting him in solo second place.
Nine birdies for Viktor Hovland βοΈ @Workday#ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries
β DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 20, 2022
Thomas Pieters is in solo third on 6-under while defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, who won this event at Abu Dhabi GC last year, is tied fourth with four others.
Trademark @ShaneLowryGolf π
β DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 20, 2022
He moves to -5. #ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/gJNMllMhPJ
2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship - Strokes Gained after Rd 1
β matt (@sgtee2green) January 20, 2022
(play suspended for the day with 20 players still to complete their first round)
Full List: https://t.co/B7BoYtqqb3 pic.twitter.com/yk9brDB0hN
How it stands after 18 holes π#ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries
β DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 20, 2022
That includes pre-tournament favourite Collin Morikawa, who could only manage a disappointing 1-over 73 after two birdies, a bogey and a double bogey.
Rory McIlroy also suffered a low-key start after handing in an even-par 72.