Steve Palmer's World Wide Technology Championship final-round preview, best bets

Where to watch

Sky Sports Golf, 7pm Sunday

Best bets

Viktor Hovland to win World Wide Technology Championship
4pts 8-13 general

Justin Thomas top American
2pts 6-5 Betfair, Power

Story so far

Viktor Hovland is on course for a successful Mayakoba title defence, the Norwegian youngster taking a two-shot lead into the final round of the World Wide Technology Championship at the El Camaleon Club.

Hovland, who reached 20 under par to triumph last year, has gone through the opening 54 holes this week in 19 under par. The pre-tournament 18-1 chance is no bigger than 8-13 with a round to go.

Talor Gooch is alone in second place, while ante-post favourite Justin Thomas is a shot further behind in third spot. There is a two-shot gap from Thomas to Carlos Ortiz in fourth, so the field got strung out on Saturday.

A cloudy closing day, with gentle breezes and a small thunderstorm threat, is forecast. Hovland is scheduled to tee off alongside Gooch in the final twoball at 6.10pm UK and Ireland time.

Leaderboard
-19 Viktor Hovland
-17 Talor Gooch
-16 Justin Thomas
-14 Carlos Ortiz
-13 JJ Spaun, Sergio Garcia

Best prices
8-13 V Hovland, 4 T Gooch, J Thomas, 25 C Ortiz, 50 S Garcia, 80 bar

Final-round preview

Viktor Hovland has been making merry on one of his favourite courses this week and the defending champion looks set to retain his trophy.

Hovland spoke confidently in his pre-tournament media conference about his affection for this layout and his ability to handle it. His driving ability stands him in great stead aiming at the tight, tree-lined fairways, while he has immense comfort on the paspalum greens. The putting surfaces are slower and flatter than an average PGA Tour venue, which Hovland says reminds him of the dancefloors he grew up on in Norway.

Hovland had been short of sparkle since a disappointing Ryder Cup debut, finishing 44th in the Shriners Children's Open and 18th in the CJ Cup, but the return to El Camaleon has galvanised him. Even the snapping of his driver on the practice ground on tournament-eve has been unable to knock him off track.

The driver issue has actually turned into a positive. Hovland lent it to Danny Lee to see if his pal could increase his swing speed with Hovland's longer Big Dog. Lee accepted the invite and promptly shattered the tool, leaving Hovland desperately searching for a replacement. James Hahn gifted Hovland a driver with similar specifications, but it was shorter and with a different shaft. Hovland has been hitting his ball lower and straighter than usual as a result. He has lost some of his explosiveness off the tee, but on a short layout like El Camaleon the driver switch has been beneficial.

With a two-shot lead to protect, Hovland will be even happier to play defensively off the tee. He topped the greens in regulation statistics on his way to victory last year and is third through three rounds this week.

PGA Tour maiden Talor Gooch is sandwiched between two world-class talents on the leaderboard and may wilt under the pressure. It is a surprise to find the 29-year-old favourite in the top American market, which should surely be topped by Justin Thomas.

The world number seven made a sluggish, lacklustre start this tournament, going three over par through 11 holes, but he and his relatively new caddie, Jim Mackay, have been upbeat and purposeful from there to reach 16 under par.

Giving Hovland a three-shot start is probably too much for Thomas over the closing 18 holes, but the Kentucky man can be trusted in the top American market. JJ Spaun is the third American on the board - three shots behind Thomas - so 6-5 Thomas seems extremely generous.