Viktor Hovland produced a bullseye in the Hero Challenge final to defeat Louis Oosthuizen at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Formula One Circuit. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

RISING star Viktor Hovland defeated Major Champion Louis Oosthuizen to win the first Hero Challenge of 2020 in Abu Dhabi.

With his final shot of the night worth double, Hovland delivered a “bullseye” 50, to add 100 points to his final total of 190 points, easily surpassing Oosthuizen’s total of 55.

It was the Norwegian’s debut in the European Tour’s innovative shootout which was played under lights in the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, in Abu Dhabi, where some of the world’s best players are gathered for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“I can’t complain, that was a pretty good start to the week” said 22-year-old Hovland. “It’s an insane venue, I have never been to a place like this, so what a place to get my first professional victory.”

“I hit some pretty nice wedge shots tonight so hopefully that carries through to the tournament this week.

“To win the Hero Challenge is pretty cool and I’m looking forward to playing in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in a couple of days.”

The pair were joined by Major Champions Brooks Koepka and Danny Willett, plus European Tour stars Matthew Fitzpatrick and Bernd Wiesberger for the innovative shootout at Yas Marina.

Former Masters Champion Willett and fellow Yorkshireman Fitzpatrick – a previous winner of the Hero Challenge in Scotland last year – both bowed out in the first round.

Hovland then defeated World No. 1 Koepka in the first semi-final, before Oosthuizen held off Austria’s two-time Rolex Series winner Wiesberger to progress to the final, where Hovland got the better of the South African to claim the 11th edition of the popular Hero Challenge.

Oklahoma State University–Stillwater.^[2] In 2014, Hovland won the Norwegian national championships for amateurs.

Hovland won the US Amateur at Pebble Beach in 2018 and finished 12th at the iconic Californian course when it staged the US Open a year later.

Having also finished as the low amateur at last year’s Masters at Augusta, the Norwegian’s switch to the pro ranks was eagerly anticipated last season as his total at Pebble Beach broke Jack Nicklaus’ record for the low amateur score in the US Open dating back to 1960.

Hovland would have been eligible to play last year’s Open at Royal Portrush as the reigning US Amateur Champion, but turned pro after the US Open.

The Oklahoma State University graduate made his debut at The Travelers Championship, in Conneticut, and earned his PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour thanks to his second place finish at the Albertson Boise Open.

Hovland finished fourth at the Wyndhams Championship at Sedgewick Country Club, in August, was tied 11th on his European Tour debut in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, in September.

With a likely rapid rise up the Official World Golf Rankings, Hovland can look forward to choosing where in the world he wants to play in 2020, with sponsors HSBC keen to help him with a start in Abu Dhabi this week.

Hero Challenge’s new venues for 2020

HERO MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, extended the Hero Challenge on the European Tour until 2022 before Christmas, with the number of annual events increasing from three to a series of five.

Following Abu Dhabi, the event moves to Europe for three more exciting editions, including the Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Henrik and Annika in Stockholm and the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.

The Betfred British Masters, which is being hosted by Lee Westwood at Newcastle’s Close House, in May is the only Hero Challenge on UK soil this year.

The series finale will take place ahead of the European Tour’s season-ending DP Worldl Tour Championship, in Dubai, and will feature the winners of all four Hero Challenges from the 2020 campaign.

American stars boost Abu Dhabi HSBC field

THIS week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship once again takes its place as part of the Rolex Series – the premium category of tournaments on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of $7 million.

American Presidents Cup winners Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay are in the field alongside Koepka, who returns to action after pulling out of Tiger Woods’ team that beat Ernie Els’ International side at Royal Melbourne, in December.

Koepka has recoverd from knee surgery in October, after playing through the pain for seven months in 2019 before going under the knife after aggravating his injury at the CJ Cup, in South Korea, after slipping on a hard surface.

The World No. 1 will be looking for a strong start to the season as he tries to win his third Sam Wanamaker Trophy at May’s USPGA at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park, in May.

Koepka can’t wait to make return from injury

•For tee times in Thursday’s first round in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship click here.

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Louis Oosthuizen and Viktor Hovland will make their Hero Challenge debut at this week’s curtain raiser to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, at the United Arab Emirates’ famous Yas Marina Formula One track. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MAJOR winners Louis Oosthuizen and Danny Willett will join rising star Viktor Hovland to complete a world-class line up for the first Hero Challenge at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina racing circuit.

Fresh from his near miss defence in Sunday’s South African Open, Oosthuizen will play in Tuesday’s curtain-raiser to this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which gets under way on Thursday,

The trio of Willett, Hovland and Oosthuizen will join World No. 1 Brooks Koepka and European Tour stars Bernd Wiesberger and Matthew Fitzpatrick for the innovative shootout event at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit.

Hero MotoCorp – the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – recently extended the Hero Challenge on the European Tour until 2022.

The number of annual events will increase in 2020 from three to a series of five.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship hosts the first of the New Year, with the series culminating in a final event featuring the previous four winners.

South African Oosthuizen boasts the 2010 Open Championship among his nine European Tour titles and will make his Hero Challenge debut as 5,000 fans watch six of golf’s biggest stars battle it out for the title in the exciting head-to-head format.

Oosthuizen said: “The Hero Challenge looks like a lot of fun, and especially this time round as we’ll be playing in such a cool location in Yas Marina.

“I can definitely say that it will be a first for me to play golf at a Formula One track, and I’m looking forward to going up against the guys in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.”

Yorkshire’s Willett returns to the Hero Challenge after coming close to getting his hands on the trophy in the final edition of the 2019 season in Dubai, in November.

The 2016 Masters champion will arrive in the United Arab Emirates looking to continue the form that saw him secure his seventh European Tour title – and his second on the Rolex Series – at last season’s BMW PGA Championship.

Hovland is one of golf’s most promising young stars, and the 22-year-old Norwegian will join Oosthuizen and Koepka in making his Hero Challenge debut at the Yas Marina Circuit.

The former World Amateur No. 1 won the low amateur honours at both the Masters and the US Open in 2019, before impressing on his first professional start on the European Tour with a tied 11th place finish at Wentworth.

The Hero Challenge will be hosted by Vernon Kay and Iona Stephen under floodlights at Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the annual Formula One Grand Priz race.

It will be broadcast live around the world with music and entertainment acts adding drama to the show. Doors will open to spectators from 5.30pm local time.

After the opening event in Abu Dhabi, the Hero Challenge then moves to Europe for three more exciting editions.

The first is the Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Henrik and Annika in Stockholm.

Then it’s on to the North East of England with the Betfred British Masters, to be hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House.

The Porsche European Open, in Hamburg, will host the fourth leg.

The series finale will take place ahead of the European Tour’s season-ending event in Dubai, and will feature the winners of all four Hero Challenges from the 2020 campaign.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship once again takes its place as part of the Rolex Series – the premium category of tournaments on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of $7million.

•Fans can register for FREE tickets to the thrilling spectacle at the famous Formula One racing circuit by clicking here.

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Dr Pawan Munjal gives 2019 Hero Challenge Dubai winner Erik van Rooyen the trophy. L-R: Henrik Stenson, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Patrick Reed, Vernon Kay, Danny Willett and Shane Lowry

THE Hero Challenge – featuring Major champions and Ryder Cup stars tackling tough short-hole targets in spectacular locations – is to expand over the next three years, the European Tour has announced.

The innovative format tournament, which has been played against stunning backdrops – including the Dubai skyline, the Liverpool docks, London’s Canary Wharf and Edinburgh Castle – has now been held at 10 European Tour events since 2016.

The new three-year deal signed by Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, will see the number of Hero Challenges rise from three to five each season.

The exciting and fast-paced shootout will take place 15 times between 2020 and 2022 at different iconic locations around the world.

The series of five annual events will begin in 2020 with the Abi Dhabi HSBC Championship – the first Rolex Series event of the season – before moving to Europe.

A Hero Challenge will precede the Betfred British Masters, to be hosted by Lee Westwood at Close House, near Newcastle, in May, with the city’s famous Tyne Bridge almost certain to feature as the backdrop.

Two more will be held in Europe before the series finale in Dubai, which will feature the winners of all four Hero Challenges, who will compete at the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

Hero Motorcorp chairman Dr Pawan Munjal made the announcement on Tuesday, during the Hero Challenge ahead of this week’s DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai.

Played at the iconic Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, the occasion marked the 10th edition of the Hero Challenge over the past three years.

Erik van Rooyen emerged as the winner of the final Hero Challenge of 2019.

The South African defeated Major Champions Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett, as well as Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello.

Dr Munjal said: “Golf has rapidly gained prominence at the world stage, yet there is a constant need to push the envelope and bring innovation to attract younger audiences.

“We introduced the Hero Challenge on the European Tour in 2016 and this distinct format has greatly appealed to a new league of followers over the years.

“The overwhelming success of Hero Challenge has encouraged us to further strengthen our association with the European Tour.

“We have been immensely encouraged by the support and participation of all the icons of the game and will continue to work towards popularising the sport across the world.”

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Hero MotoCorp for a further three years, and we are delighted they share our passion for innovation.

“Thanks to the vision of Pawan Munjal, the creation of the Hero Challenge has taken golf and our global stars to some iconic locations around the world.

“We are extremely excited to be expanding this concept with additional events over the next three years as we take the Hero Challenge to some spectacular new locations.”

The first Hero Challenge was held in 2016 at The Grove prior to the British Masters.

Earlier this year, the Hero Challenge welcomed its first female star when Solheim Cup and Ladies European Tour winner Charley Hull teed it up at the action-packed event in Liverpool, in front of the iconic Liver Building.

The Hero Challenge is broadcast around the world with a household reach of more than 125 million for each event and is also live streamed on the European Tour’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Hero MotoCorp also sponsors the Indian Open, a co-sanctioned event with the Asian Tour, since it became part of the Tour’s schedule in 2015.

Hero has also supported the Women’s Indian Open since 2010, and sponsored India’s domestic women’s professional tour.

•To find out more about van Rooyen’s victory in the Hero Challenge click here.

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Hero Challenge winner Matt Fitzpatrick, who beat Matt Kuchar at The Renaissance Club as the American tried to defend the title he won at Edinburgh Castle a year ago.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATT Fitzpatrick made the perfect start to his week at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open as he won the Hero Challenge title at The Renaissance Club, on Tuesday night.

The 2016 Ryder Cup player defeated Matt Kuchar, who won last year’s Hero Challenge at Edinburgh Castle, in the final of the fast and fun night golf contest, held on a specially-constructed tee at the par three 15th hole.

Fitzpatrick, taking part in his second Hero Challenge, defeated 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell in their semi-final, which went to a nearest-the-pin play-off, as Kuchar beat Lucas Bjerregaard in the other, which also required a sudden-death shootout.

“It was good fun out there, I had to do it the hard way.” said Fitzpatrick. “It was great to get the win, it suits me having to hit low shots.

“Matt is a great player, obviously he won the Hero Challenge last year, but he’s a proper golfer. The whole evening was really good fun.

“It was nice go out there on a Tuesday night and get the crowd fired up for the week ahead.

“My caddie and I walked the course this afternoon when the weather wasn’t too good, so to see so many people out there supporting us was great.”

Fitzpatrick was presented with the trophy by Dr Pawan Munjal, the chairman, managing director and chief executive of Hero MotoCorp – the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters.

Also taking part in the second Hero Challenge of the 2019 season were Buckinghamshire’s Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton, and former World No. 1 Justin Thomas, the 2017 USPGA Champion.

Dr Pawan Munjal, chief executive of Hero MotoCorp and European Tour head Keith Pelley (second right) with (left to right) Tyrrell Hatton, Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas and Lucas Bjerregard. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

It’s the fourth successive season in which the British Masters was preceded by the Hero Challenge, the innovative event having made its debut in 2016 at The Grove.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open takes place at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick for the first time.

One of the latest additions to the famous stretch in East Lothian known as Scotland’s Golf Coast is hosting the third Rolex Series event of the year.

Tickets for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which gets udner way on Thursday, are available here.

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Matt Kuchar is currently top of the Fed Ex rankings on the PGA Tour and returns to Scotland to defend his Hero Challenge Open before the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick, on Tuesday night. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATT Kuchar is back to defend his Hero Challenge title after confirming he will tee it up for the second time in the fast and fun night golf contest in Scotland tomorrow (Tuesday).

The Hero Challenge is the curtain raiser for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club, which borders the famous Muirfield links.

Kuchar will defend his title against Hero Challenge debutant at two-time European Tour winner Lucas Bjerregaard, and the returning Matt Fitzpatrick, who played in his first Hero Challenge in 2017.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregard was knocked out of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in the semi-finals at Austin, Texas, in March. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

The trio join Major winners Graeme McDowell and Justin Thomas and 2018 Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton in the exhilarating event, which will be held in the stunning surroundings of the par three 15th hole at the Tom Doak-designed Renaissance Club.

Kuchar, who currently leads the US PGA Tour rankings made his first Hero Challenge appearance ahead of last year’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, defeating compatriot Charley Hoffman in the final.

The American has enjoyed a strong start to the season in the United States, winning the Sony Open in Hawaii and recording two additional runner-up finishes.

He will be reunited with Dane Bjerregaard, who famously defeated Tiger Woods in the quarter-finals at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play earlier this season, going on to finish fourth after facing Kuchar in the semi-finals.

Yorkshire-raised Fitzpatrick adds further star power to the field and arrives in Scotland after coming close to his sixth title in just his fifth year on the European Tour, finishing runner-up at the BMW International Open last month.

The Hallamshire member, who won the Selborne Salver, at Hampshire’s Blackmoor GC, as an amateur 12 months before winning the 2013 US Amateur Championship, made his Hero Challenge debut in 2017 ahead of the British Masters at Close House.

Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick is one of six players to line-up for the 2019 Hero Challenge in North Berwick, along with Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Rickie Fowler. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Successfully debuting on the European Tour at the British Masters in 2016, The Hero Challenge then took place at the British Masters, Scottish Open and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, in 2017 and 2018.

Hero MotoCorp – the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation on the European Tour by extending the innovative event.

English star Tommy Fleetwood triumphed in the maiden Hero Challenge of 2019 at the Betfred British Masters in May, as the fast-paced shootout returned for a fourth season on the European Tour.

Fans can register for FREE tickets to see six of the world’s leading golfers battle it out for the second Hero Challenge title of the season at the Renaissance Club.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open once again takes its place as part of the Rolex Series – the premium category of tournaments on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of $7 million.

Some of the world’s best golfers will tee it up at The Renaissance Club from July 11-14, including South Africa’s defending champion Brandon Stone, four-time Major Champion and current World No. 4 Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson who won the Open at Muirfield in 2016, Rickie Fowler who won the Scottish Open four years ago at nearby Gullane, and European Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter.

To register for free tickets for the Hero Challenge click here . Fans can buy Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open tickets from £18 here.

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