Ludvig Åberg leads by three strokes entering the final round at THE PLAYERS Championship. A plethora of intriguing names are ready to step into the spotlight if the Swede slips up. Ahead of the final round, several players have a lot at stake at TPC Sawgrass.
Åberg’s Chance for a Major Victory
Åberg has contended in multiple Masters and starred in two Ryder Cups. He’s won a Signature Event and won abroad. Yet, he’s still searching for that major victory that will validate all those experiences.
He has that opportunity. Åberg not only enters the final round as one of the select few who could win, he’s expected to close it out. That’s a different situation and pressure than he’s faced in the past. How will he handle it?
He did well in spurts. He led all day, though he didn’t truly separate until the 11th hole, when he hit a blistering 5-iron that rolled onto par-5 in two and holed the eagle putt to extend his lead to four strokes.
It could have been even bigger had he not played the last three holes in 1-over. If you’re looking for a reason to doubt Åberg, that’s the stretch that will stick with you, but there’s a reason he’s still leading by three strokes. He’s playing exceptional golf. He leads the field in driving distance, Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and proximity on approach. It’s hard not to lead when that’s the statistical profile.
Thorbjornsen Seeks First PGA TOUR Win
The first page of the leaderboard is filled with proven PGA TOUR winners. Then there’s Michael Thorbjornsen.
The 24-year-old second-year pro is on the shortlist of those who are expected to earn that distinction soon, but he’s still without a win. THE PLAYERS would be the biggest stage for a first-time winner in a long time. The last time a player’s first PGA TOUR win came at THE PLAYERS or a major was Danny Willett at the 2016 Masters. The last THE PLAYERS winner to be a first-time winner? Tim Clark in 2010.
Is Thorbjornsen up for the task? Sunday will tell the world a lot about him.
His pedigree is hard to beat. He’s a former world amateur No. 1 who dominated at Stanford and earned his way straight to the PGA TOUR via his collegiate performance. He’s slowly improved during his time on TOUR, building consistency around the peak weeks, which have been there ever since he played and contended in one of his first TOUR events as an amateur at the 2022 Travelers Championship.
Still, there’s a limited track record of someone of Thorbjornsen’s minimal pro experience picking off an event of this magnitude. Those are enticing stakes.
Åberg was criticised early in the year for not taking the immediate jump that some expected in his third full season on TOUR, but patience may pay off for those who bit their tongue.