+++ Viktor Hovland triumphs after a sensational final round at the Olympia Fields Country Club, finishing on 263 strokes (17 under par) +++ Second BMW title for the Norwegian +++ Six players qualify for the Ryder Cup Team USA +++ All tournament proceeds going to the Evans Scholars Foundation +++
Chicago. Viktor Hovland has won the BMW Championship 2023 with one of the best-ever performances in the final round of a PGA TOUR event. The Norwegian carded seven birdies on the back nine on his way to a course record of 61 strokes (9 under par). It was the lowest score in the history of the Playoffs and good enough to reel in the leaders after three rounds, Scottie Scheffler (USA) and Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG). With his fifth win on the PGA TOUR, the 25-year-old moved up to second place in the FedExCup rankings. It is a second BMW title for Hovland, to add to his win at the BMW International Open 2021 in Munich (GER).
“Congratulations to Viktor Hovland on his incredible performance, especially in the final round, to become the 2023 BMW Champion,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Real Estate. “It has been a historic tournament week at a fantastic venue with great fans. Many thanks to the Olympia Fields Country Club, all our partners, volunteers and everyone involved. In addition to hosting a great tournament, the BMW Group is especially proud to know that the BMW Championship makes a difference in the lives of so many young people.”
All proceeds from the BMW Championship will benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF). Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, the BMW Championship has raised over 45 million US dollars for the ESF and sent 3,300 caddies to college. These totals do not include the BMW Championship 2023. Currently, the ESF is helping a record number of 1,130 caddies to study.
Hovland had started the final round three shots behind Scheffler and Fitzpatrick, and it seemed likely to remain a battle between the two Major winners for some time. However, the Norwegian then put on a memorable performance as every shot hit its mark. With the exception of the two par 3 holes, he birdied everything on the difficult back nine of the North Course. Scheffler and Fitzpatrick were unable to counter this brilliant display.
“To win the BMW Championship at a course like Olympia Fields against the world’s best players is a really incredible feeling,” said Hovland. “That has to be the best round I’ve ever played. Given the circumstances – a playoff event, this golf course – the way I played the last holes was pretty special.”
For Scheffler and Fitzpatrick (both -15) shared second place ahead of Rory McIlroy (NIR, -12), with Open champion Brian Harman and Max Homa (both USA, -11) tied for fifth.
Second place for world no. 1 Scheffler was enough to defend his FedExCup lead and secure a spot at the Playoff final, the TOUR Championship, which will take place next week at the East Lake Golf Club (Atlanta) with the BMW Group as “Official Vehicle Partner”. Hovland climed up to second place, with McIlroy still third. Fitzpatrick leapt up from 40th position to tenth.
The BMW Championship is the penultimate Playoff tournament at which just 30 of the 50 players who started the event in Chicago qualify for the season final. The last three tickets were secured by Tyrrell Hatton (ENG, +1, T34), Jordan Spieth (USA, +1, T34) and Sepp Straka (AUT, +2, T37). Despite a strong tournament performance, Sahith Theegala (USA, -6, T15) was marooned in 31st place.
This week also heralded some key decisions for the American Ryder Cup team. The BMW Championship was the final opportunity to score points and qualify for the team led by captain Zach Johnson (USA). Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Brian Harman, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele have all secured their spot in the team. Johnson will use his Captain’s Pick on 29th August to select another six pros and round off the team that will go up against the Europeans from 25th September to 1st October 2023 in Rome (ITA). BMW will support the legendary team competition as Worldwide Partner.
Next year will see the BMW Championship make a first visit to the Castle Pines Golf Club, south of Denver. In 2025, the tournament will repeat its 2021 visit to the Caves Valley Golf Club (Baltimore), while the 2026 schedule features the Bellerive Country Club (St. Louis) as host for the first time since 2008. In 2027, the BMW Championship will celebrate its debut at the Liberty National Golf Club and the New York region.