Using a string of five birdies on the back nine, Viktor Hovland threatened to run away with the BMW International Open on Saturday, marking an impressive performance in just his second start on the European Tour.
Hovland’s 8-under 64 moved him to 17 under for the tournament and allowed him to open a three-stroke lead over the field.
If he holds on to win on Sunday, Hovland would be the first Norwegian winner on the Euro Tour. He already has two wins on the PGA Tour.
“I just try to stay within myself. I look at leaderboards to see where I’m at, but instead of trying to force things, I just tell myself at the start of the day just to take control of my own game,” Hovland said. “If I don’t waste shots here and there, just play smart, trust that I’m doing the right things, I think I should have a really good shot tomorrow.”
Jorge Campillo is three shots off Hovland’s pace while Darren Fichardt is in third. Meanwhile, Niall Kearney, who held the lead after 36 holes, is tied with Bernd Wiesberger at 11 under.
There’s plenty at stake for Hovland, who withdrew from the 121st U.S. Open at Torrey Pines due to an eye injury. Hovland, who sits at No. 14 in the Official World Golf Ranking, but is No. 3 in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings, got sand in his eye during a warm-up session and was forced to withdraw.
But a victory at Munich’s Golfclub Munchen Eichenried would almost certainly lock Hovland into a spot in the upcoming Ryder Cup.
“It was great, always nice to get off to a good start, birdieing the first hole,” Hovland said. “I hit the drive in the water on four, but I made a really nice up and down there.”