Abu Dhabi … Norwegian sensation Viktor Hovland learnt a harsh rules lesson in being advised by playing partner and 2020 European Ryder Cup vice-captain Robert Karlsson to add a stroke penalty to his score-card after an incident at the first hole on day one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Hoviland’s second shot at the par-5 10th that they were playing as their first came to rest just inches from a sponsor’s sign at the back of the green.
The 22-year old incorrectly took a ‘free’ drop front of the sign instead, and under European Tour tournament rules, of marking his ball and then removing the offending sign.
Karlsson was late in observing what took place but admitted he felt ‘bad’ in having to advise the young Tour pro.
“It all happened so quick but what he should have done was mark his ball and then go about moving the sign,” said Karlsson.
“I then felt bad having to advise him he’d broken the rules and the thing is, if I had of missed it someone else may have witnessed it and reported it to the Tour long after the event that could have led to being d-qued.
“It was tough way to learn but the rules are the rules.”
Hovland, and contesting just his second European Tour event since turning pro after an 11th place result at the 2029 US Open, eventually signed for a one-over par 73.
The Norwegian was then seen after his round being spoken to by Tour tournament director, Miguel Vidador along with a rules official.
On Tuesday, and ahead of this week’s $7m event, Hovland defeated the likes of Brooks Koepka, Bernd Wiesberger, Matt Wallace and Tommy Fleetwood to win the Hero Challenge at the nearby Yas Marina F1 circuit.
“I’m not counting that one yet,” he said smiling.
“It’s still early and guys like Brooks and Justin (Thomas), those guys have accomplished so much. I’m not stressed out about it.
“I just try to do as well as I can and hopefully I can pick up my first win pretty soon. If not, I’m not going to be too disappointed about it. I’m just looking to try to get better and, yeah, do my thing.”
And Karlsson had been put into the group by European Team leader, Padraig Harrington to observe first-hand the efforts over the first two rounds of Hovland and Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre but with the Scot forced out before tee-off with an on-going right hand injury.
