Viktor Hovland and Daniel Berger got into a pretty heated disagreement on Monday over a drop Berger was going to take on the par-5 16th hole at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Fla.
Berger, Hovland and Joel Dahmen were part of a threesome on the final day of the event, which Cameron Smith won. The dynamic of the golfers being in a threesome on the final round was unusual; typically there are twosomes on the final day. But things changed due to all the weather delays at the event.
The threesome dynamic is important because it led to a 2-on-1 situation amid a dispute.
Berger hit his approach into the water on 16 and wanted to take a drop somewhat close to the green. However, Hovland and Dahmen felt Berger was giving himself way too generous of a drop. They disputed the placement of the drop. Hovland really stuck to his guns on the matter.
“I’m not really okay with it being up there,” Hovland said.
Berger was adamant about his placement.
“I’ve never taken a bad drop in my life and I’m not about to take a bad one here,” Berger said of where it was suggested he drop.
A tournament official said the three players had to come to an agreement amongst themselves because there was no video evidence to tell them where the ball crossed the water. The dynamic of two players disagreeing with Berger made it harder for him to get the drop he wanted.
They ended up compromising, with Berger taking a bogey on the hole.
“Daniel’s game is great, and I have massive respect for him as a player. But, at the end of the day, we’ve got to protect the field and protect all the other guys,” Hovland said.
Hovland said the entire dispute wasn’t fun, but he felt strongly about the location and felt he needed to stand his ground.
Hovland finished tied for ninth at 7 under, while Berger finished the event tied for 13th at 6 under. Dahmen finished tied for 33rd.
