Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland are in rivalry at the Memorial Match. Nevertheless, they should chase down Scottie Scheffler to take action.
Hovland fired off his second straight 3-under 69 to take a seat at 6-under, three photographs behind Scheffler. Åberg shot an even-par 72 on Friday to remain at 4-under, 5 photographs off the tempo.
Scheffler shot a 4-under 68 to get to 9-under, as he holds agency management of the match.
The circumstances at Muirfield Village had been tough, because the wind gave many gamers matches. But, the 2 Ryder Cup companions stayed centered to keep away from dropping down the leaderboard.
Hovland recorded 5 birdies and two bogeys in spherical two. Though he could have shot the identical rating, the 26-year-old felt the observe performed a lot more durable on Friday.
“The greens had been firmer at present, in order that already makes the greens play a bit of bit smaller,” Hovland stated.
“Some good gusts and regular winds make it much more tough. I did a very good job of hitting a bunch of fairways, however even then, there was quite a lot of considering and guessing going into the greens. It’s laborious to get it near the outlet, however I managed to try this at present.”
Hovland led the sector on Friday in greens in regulation as he hit 16-of-18. He was additionally fourth in driving accuracy, with 12-of-14 drives discovering the golf green—an enormous enchancment from Thursday’s spherical when he hit solely 9 fairways and 10 greens.
“I believed there have been some tough pins [on Thursday], however there have been some good ones at present as effectively,” Hovland stated.
“I’m simply blissful to play higher at present. Hit it so much nicer. I missed just a few brief ones, however nonetheless, yeah, simply performed nice.”
Åberg needed to grind all through his spherical. He recorded two birdies and two bogeys. Nevertheless, these 14 pars proved big, preserving him on the primary web page of the leaderboard.
The previous Texas Tech Crimson Raider felt his sport improved even when the scorecard didn’t point out that.
“Although it performed more durable and the rating wasn’t the identical, it nonetheless felt a bit of bit higher, I assume,” Åberg stated.
“I’m happy with the consequence. It was a tricky day, quite a lot of up-and-downs and bunker photographs and whatnot. So, general, I’m trying ahead to the subsequent couple of days.”
One in all his finest moments of the day got here on the par-4 seventeenth. He made an unimaginable hole-out from the greenside bunker for birdie.
Åberg performed alongside Scheffler the primary two days however was not intimidated. Most gamers know the two-time Masters champion will do nice issues on the course.
“I can solely do myself and might management what I can management,” Åberg stated.
“He’s taking part in very, superb golf, and it doesn’t look very tough when he’s taking part in, however all I can do is attempt to sustain and ensure I’m not too far behind.”
Åberg and Hovland are inside attain, particularly with 36 holes to play. If Hovland retains taking part in this effectively, he might win back-to-back Memorial Tournaments. Nevertheless, the observe will solely get more durable to sort out because it sinks its enamel into these gamers. Chasing down Scheffler provides to the general problem, too.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. For extra golf protection, you should definitely observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can even observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
