Media Center Interviews
April 6, 2024
Third Round Interview with Ludvig Åberg
Q. What was the best part of your game today?
LUDVIG ABERG: I felt like I drove it quite well, especially when I got a new driver. But then I also felt like I hit a lot of good putts even. Though I didn't make all of them, I still felt like I hit a lot of good putts, which is kind of what I've been working on over these last couple weeks when I had some time off. It's nice to see that and it's nice to feel like I'm rolling it the way that I want to, then it's just about matching the line and the speed.
Q. And when you lost your driver head on 17, how strange was that exactly?
LUDVIG ABERG: It was odd, it was bizarre. I've never experienced anything like that, not even in practice or anything, I've never seen it before, so I was just in shock. I'm glad the ball stayed inbounds because I really don't know what could have happened. Somehow it made it all the way to the green, I don't know how.
Q. That's awesome.
LUDVIG ABERG: Yeah, it was weird.
Q. And for you, what would you say are the keys to a strong Sunday?
LUDVIG ABERG: I mean, obviously this golf course is quite demanding, it's quite tough, especially when it starts to get windy and the greens get a little firmer. We had some rain last night which made the greens a little bit more receptive, so I think it's going to get firmer and drier. Obviously need to hit the ball well off the tee and see if I can do that tomorrow as well.
Q. Is that driver off the rack? Did you have a backup?
LUDVIG ABERG: I had a backup, luckily. I'm normally quite bad at bringing a backup driver, but this week I actually did, which is like, oh, thank God.
Q. Take me through the experience of that swing when you realize something had happened? Did you feel a weight loss?
LUDVIG ABERG: I didn't even know. I mean, I believe I put a pretty good swing on it because of where the ball ended up, but it was just weird. Like after I hit it, obviously the head came off and I think I hit the shaft on my shoulder or something like that, so it just looked and felt very weird. Never -- once again, never experienced anything like that before so it was just quite surreal. I mean, I guess a lot could have happened with the ball, I'm just glad it stayed inbounds and I had a shot coming back.
Q. Did it look like the screws sheared?
LUDVIG ABERG: I think there's a screw that came off. It's on me, I should have checked that a little bit better, but luckily we were able to get a new one on the next tee box. I hit some good drives after that as well.
Q. You said your backup, did you have to (no microphone.)
LUDVIG ABERG: Yeah, yeah, I always bring backup, especially the woods because you never know what's going to happen. Luckily I had it in my locker and the rules official was kind enough to go get it for me and I could use it on the next tee box.
Q. So after something like that happens where your driver head comes off, you still score really well. Do you kind of feel like the ducks are in a row for you?
LUDVIG ABERG: I don't know. I mean, I think at the end of the day I felt like I put a good swing on it, which is what matters. Obviously something like that is just weird and it doesn't happen too often. I think it's one of them where I have to laugh it off and do as best as you can on the next one. I felt like I did a lot of things well today, so I guess that's one of them too, yeah.
Q. Being back in Texas, I know you went to Texas Tech, what is that feeling like kind of coming --
LUDVIG ABERG: Oh, it's great. San Antonio is a great golf course. Obviously a lot of Tech people out here, which is great. You can feel the support, you can hear them, which is quite cool. It's my first time playing as a professional in Texas and it's quite cool to come back. Obviously spend a lot of time here, did four years of school here. It's nice.
Q. You're one of the hotter golfers here coming from your last couple of Tour stops. You've kind of come into your own heading into next week?
LUDVIG ABERG: Yeah, obviously Augusta will be really special and very cool for me to play, first time obviously. I think this week I feel like I'm doing a lot of good stuff and hopefully we'll be able to translate that into next week. But my focus is here right now and then once I'm done playing tomorrow, I'll shift my focus to Augusta.
Q. And you're a couple of shots back from the leader. How do you plan to catch him?
LUDVIG ABERG: Obviously it looks like Akshay has a pretty big lead. What we're trying to do is just put pressure on him, I think that's what we're all trying to do. It doesn't really affect my game, all I try to do is hit the shots as well as I can. It's a tough golf course and we'll see how things pan out tomorrow.
