Hovland, the defending FedExCup champion, entered the playoffs in 57th place with no guarantee of defending his title at the BMW Championship next week. And then he had a chance to win, taking the lead with a birdie on the 16th hole. He gave up par by failing to save par from a bunker on the 17th, then missed a 9-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 66.
