Hovland were six strokes behind the lead as the day began, but hit back hard in Dubai after a magical finals. Both the Norwegian and Richard Bland (49) finished the tournament with 12 strokes under par.

Thus, both must play to win. They played 18 holes again, and Hovland had the most ice there in years. With a birdie, the Norwegian secured the win when Bland missed a short putt. At the same time, he rose to third place in the world in golf.

– It’s so wild. “I didn’t think it was possible at first,” Hovland said in an interview featured on Viasat.

He is now number three in the world, behind only Collin Morikawa and Jon Rahm.

– I have a lot to prove before I can beat them, but it’s a good start, so we’ll see what happens, said Hovland with a smile.

Third win in five attempts

This is his third win in the last five tournaments he has participated in.

– This is one of his greatest achievements. It’s a very prestigious tournament, says Viasat commentator Joakim Mikkelsen

The European Tour isn’t quite as good as the PGA Tour, but Dubai has a strong field to compete with. In addition to Hovland and McIlroy, world number two Collin Morikawa also participated, and strong players such as Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, last year’s winner Paul Casey and Lee Westwood.

Former world number one Rory McIlroy had plenty of chances to escape with a lone win, but screwed it right in the final two holes, and ended up hitting the back of duo Hovland and Bland.

– Thought it was impossible

Hovland started on Sunday a bit far from the lead, but started at breakneck pace. Through the first nine holes, he fielded four birdies and only one bogey. Thus, he was suddenly in third place, and was truly in close quarters combat.

At the same time, tournament manager Justin Harding fell, while former world number one Rory McIlroy continued to play solidly.

Hovland went into the final nine holes a few strokes behind, but then got dramatic.

The Norwegian got a bogey on the 15th hole, and thought she had lost the win.

– I was furious after hole 15, and thought it was decided. But I just tried to finish strong,” Hovland told Viasat.

End of monsters

And no one has finished as strong as Hovland. The 24-year-old responded with a birdie, and then he continued with a fantastic eagle on the next hole.

– It was a very special ending. I know it’s to share the lead, but I also know they have some easy holes left. So I had to birdie the last one to make them think a little, a smiling Hovland told Viasat of the incredible hole.

He placed a birdie in the last hole, and went up. In the end, he finished the round 6 strokes under par. It was the best lap on the court today.

The Norwegian has won the European Tour once before. It happened in Munich last season. In addition, he has three wins on the PGA Tour.

With a win in this weekend’s tournament, he amassed over 12 million kroner.