Rain or not, nobody can put out Ludvig Aberg’s fireplace.
The PGA Tour rookie fired off a bogey-free 5-under 67 to sit down tied for fourth after 18 holes on the RSM Traditional on St. Simons Island, Ga.
Gamers needed to take care of two rain delays on Thursday. The primary pushed again begin instances, and the second abruptly stopped play early within the afternoon.
Aberg was one of many fortunate few to get all 18 holes in, and people delays didn’t section him. He took on the par-72 Plantation Course for his first spherical, recording three birdies and an unimaginable eagle on the par-5 eighth, his seventeenth gap.
That momentum-building eagle putt got here after that hours-long rain delay.
“It was a protracted day. It obtained nasty at instances with the rain and the wind, however I felt patience-wise I did a extremely good job,” Aberg stated. “It’s simple to let the skin distractions hassle you, however I really feel like I did that fairly effectively. The rain delay for a few hours was lengthy and boring, however I did an excellent job of conserving myself within the now and being prepared at any time when the restart got here.”
This 12 months isn’t the primary time the previous Texas Tech Crimson Raider performed within the RSM Traditional. After he received the 2021 Jones Cup at Ocean Forest, one other golf membership on St. Simons Island, that victory obtained him into the sphere as an newbie.
“I believe if I hadn’t performed right here earlier than, it might have been slightly bit trickier, however I’m glad I had that have,” he stated. “I believe coming again to a event is all the time simpler.
Loads has modified since his final look two years in the past.
“I’m a distinct participant. I believe I’m extra skilled, I do know extra about my very own sport and I do know my tendencies lots higher,” Aberg stated. “I might nonetheless be capable of hit the photographs two years in the past that I do now, however I simply do it extra constantly… I’m higher if one thing’s slightly bit off, I can come again to it slightly bit simpler. I believe all of it comes with expertise, and I’m certain in the event you speak to me in two years’ time, I’ll most likely say related issues.”
Aberg performed this week as a result of he enjoys event golf but additionally as a result of he’s proper outdoors of the High 50 within the Official World Golf Rankings. Getting inside that High 50 on the finish of the weekend would earn him an invite to Augusta Nationwide for the 2024 Masters Match.
“The 50 mark is sort of a golden threshold, and clearly that may be — it’s an enormous motivator for me, and I attempt to view it that manner, however I’m not — I’m simply lucky to be right here,” he stated.
Aberg has been on a tear since he turned professional earlier this 12 months.
On high of profitable on the DP World Tour, he has three high 10s, a runner-up end and 7 high 25s in 10 PGA Tour occasions. To not point out, the 24-year-old was part of the victorious Staff Europe Ryder Cup crew. He and Viktor Hovland delivered a historic beat down of Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler that individuals will talk about for years.
The Eslov, Sweden native has made a reputation for himself within the brief few months he has been on Tour. Aberg has yet one more alternative this fall to enhance his world rating and get him into larger occasions throughout the 2024 season.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. You’ll be able to comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.
