Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland are in rivalry at the Memorial Event. Nevertheless, they should chase down Scottie Scheffler to take action.
Hovland fired off his second straight 3-under 69 to sit down 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 event.
The situations at Muirfield Village have been tough, because the wind gave many gamers suits. But, the 2 Ryder Cup companions stayed targeted to keep away from dropping down the leaderboard.
Hovland recorded 5 birdies and two bogeys in spherical two. Though he might have shot the identical rating, the 26-year-old felt the observe performed a lot harder on Friday.
“The greens have been firmer in the present day, in order that already makes the greens play somewhat bit smaller,” Hovland stated.
“Some good gusts and regular winds make it much more tough. I did a superb job of hitting a bunch of fairways, however even then, there was a whole lot of considering and guessing going into the greens. It’s laborious to get it near the outlet, however I managed to try this in the present day.”
Hovland led the sphere 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—a large enchancment from Thursday’s spherical when he hit solely 9 fairways and 10 greens.
“I assumed there have been some tough pins [on Thursday], however there have been some good ones in the present day as properly,” Hovland stated.
“I’m simply completely happy to play higher in the present day. Hit it rather a lot nicer. I missed a couple of quick 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 Purple Raider felt his sport improved even when the scorecard didn’t point out that.
“Although it performed tougher and the rating wasn’t the identical, it nonetheless felt somewhat bit higher, I assume,” Åberg stated.
“I’m happy with the end result. It was a tricky day, a whole lot of up-and-downs and bunker photographs and whatnot. So, general, I’m trying ahead to the subsequent couple of days.”
One among his greatest moments of the day got here on the par-4 seventeenth. He made an unbelievable 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 may management what I can management,” Åberg stated.
“He’s enjoying very, superb golf, and it doesn’t look very tough when he’s enjoying, 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 enjoying this properly, he might win back-to-back Memorial Tournaments. Nevertheless, the observe will solely get tougher to deal with because it sinks its tooth 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 means of. For extra golf protection, you should definitely observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may as well observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.