INSIDE THE PGA TOUR with Ludvig Aberg & Mackenzie Hughes
Nov 24, 2023
HOST: FRANK A. BASSETT
Ready to hear the scoop on all things PGA Tour? We're letting you in on everything from recent developments, swirling rumors, to expected changes at PGA Tour Enterprises. We've got all the insights from Ludvig Aberg's victorious press conference at the RSM Classic and the thoughts of runner-up Mackenzie Hughes. We're also speculating on what the future holds for dynamos like Jon Rohm and Patrick Cantlay. So join us as we discuss our predictions for the upcoming tournaments at Pebble Beach and Riviera, and the potential of Ludvig Aberg, a rising star to watch out for.
Our chat with a professional golfer is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. How did he feel during the nail-biting final stretch of a recent tournament, and what's the secret behind his unique golf swing? You'll hear about the tactics he uses to stay composed under pressure, his exciting recruitment to play for Texas Tech, and his game plan for the weeks ahead. Plus, join us in celebrating his recent achievement of securing a spot at the cherished Augusta tournament. There's nothing like hearing the sheer joy in his voice as he gears up for this life-changing opportunity. Tune in to this episode for an insider's view you won't find anywhere else.
Ready to hear the scoop on all things PGA Tour? We're letting you in on everything from recent developments, swirling rumors, to expected changes at PGA Tour Enterprises. We've got all the insights from Ludvig Aberg's victorious press conference at the RSM Classic and the thoughts of runner-up Mackenzie Hughes. We're also speculating on what the future holds for dynamos like Jon Rohm and Patrick Cantlay. So join us as we discuss our predictions for the upcoming tournaments at Pebble Beach and Riviera, and the potential of Ludvig Aberg, a rising star to watch out for.
Our chat with a professional golfer is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. How did he feel during the nail-biting final stretch of a recent tournament, and what's the secret behind his unique golf swing? You'll hear about the tactics he uses to stay composed under pressure, his exciting recruitment to play for Texas Tech, and his game plan for the weeks ahead. Plus, join us in celebrating his recent achievement of securing a spot at the cherished Augusta tournament. There's nothing like hearing the sheer joy in his voice as he gears up for this life-changing opportunity. Tune in to this episode for an insider's view you won't find anywhere else.
Speaker 1:
This is PGA Tour Countdown, and welcome in everybody, frank Bassett, joining you for this edition of PGA Tour Countdown. It's a slow week. Well, there's no tournament this week, but there is a lot going on in the world the PGA Tour doing a lot of different things to help out Caddies and other little binnies that will be occurring in 2024. That we'll get into next week when we do a series on the LiveGolf PGA Tour Countdown. Countdown to December 31st. I guess we should say hello, we should say which is when the first draft, I guess, or final edition or whatever is going to come out of what may or may not be a relationship in PGA Tour Enterprises and all the tours. We'll see. We just don't know. There's some rumors about John Rom and Patrick Cantlay this week and we don't know what's going to happen with that. Just a lot going on. Is John going over to LiveGolf? Is LiveGolf going to change to a 72-hole format? Just a lot going on, I mean really.
Speaker 1:
But what I want to do is give you a little bit of what happened after the RSM. Your winner, ludwig E Berg, of course, with his press conference, which was very, very good and enjoyable, and Mackenzie Hughes also in his press conference. So let's get right to it. Let you hear what they had to say, because it's not something on TV, it's something that we have in the media center on the tour and gives you a little better insight into the players that you don't know a lot about Mackenzie and Ludwig. So here we go, let's hear from them and then we'll wrap this thing up.
Speaker 3:
All right, matt, so a great week and, I guess, good battle. Just how are the emotions of how the weekend played out and how you played?
Speaker 4:
Yeah, I mean it's hard to sit here and be disappointed. I mean, a small part of you is obviously like you want to win, and that's kind of what we play for on Sunday when you're that close. But to shoot 60-63 Saturday, sunday, and you lose to 61-61. I don't know. I have to feel pretty good about things and I feel as though that's one of those tournaments where you finish up and you feel like you didn't lose the tournament, you just got beat and yeah, just got beat this week. So hats off to Ludwig.
Speaker 3:
I played unbelievable golf, you solidified your spot in the next 10. We're in a good spot, but now you know you'll play pebble and Janice. What does it mean to you? What do you look forward to about playing those tournaments?
Speaker 4:
Yeah, I mean, those are some of my favorite venues on tour, so that's very exciting and happy to have achieved that and, more than anything, kind of happy to see momentum in my game and see something building towards more or less what I expected myself, and so this was a great step for me and a nice way to finish the year off. What's?
Speaker 3:
your plan for the next few weeks.
Speaker 4:
I'll be up in New York this week for Thanksgiving with my wife's family and then, yeah, kind of just laying low for a while, I'll probably put the clubs down for a couple weeks and just kind of take stock in the year and make some plans for the off season and we'll be back on the West Coast here before we know it. Where in New York, fredonia? Yeah, so actually my wife and her friend and her brother and his wife are at the Bill's game today and that's where I actually was planning to be this week and I decided to come here and play. So I'm still excited to get to a Bill's game here shortly. But yeah, well, coming here this week was obviously a pretty good decision for me.
Speaker 3:
What are you most proud of from your season?
Speaker 4:
Just kind of the resiliency. I mean. I wouldn't say I've. Certainly the results have been tough, but I mean playing professional golf is not tough in a real world sense. But definitely, yeah, results-wise this year was a bit tough and to see some positive there at the end of the year, with Mexico in here, has me feeling pretty good going into next year.
Speaker 3:
Seeing Louis Viggs game up close. What impresses you about his and what level of star power does he possess?
Speaker 4:
Yeah, I think Sky's the limit.
Speaker 4:
He's kind of the modern day player. I mean, number five is probably the true example of that, or the prime example of that. Just, you know, I'm playing after that bunker and he flies it on the green in two putts for birdie and it's a super impressive shot. It's not only hit long, but to hit that straight. So yeah, he's got the whole package. He's got a good demeanor, doesn't get too up or down, so I'm sure we're going to see a lot of him for the next few years.
Speaker 4:
What changed your mind about coming here? How recently did you change your mind? Well, honestly, like the fall I mean prior to Memphis, you know I was like if I make it to BMW, I'd probably only going to play a couple of times in the fall. And then when I missed and finished 51st, I kind of put together a fall that was somewhat normal to what I would play typically and that included RSM. But I kind of thought to myself like if I'm in a really good spot or I've played really well up until RSM, I might skip there and kind of shut down early. But it's hard to ignore that I've played pretty good here over the years and this is further proof that this is a pretty good place for me, so I was pretty happy I came. But yeah, it's nice to see just a good result and just momentum for myself going into next year.
Speaker 5:
What does it mean to get into?
Speaker 4:
those two teams. Yeah, no, I was telling Kevin that those are two of my favorite venues on tour Pebble and Riv so to have my spot in those fields and, yeah, my goal was to play my way into all those events and so getting the first couple was a big step. And, yeah, I'll work hard to make sure I'm in the rest of them too.
Speaker 1:
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Speaker 3:
Two here and then one down there.
Speaker 6:
Okay, Pardon me. Okay, we'll get started. We'd like to welcome Glutvig O'Bear into the interview room, our 2023 RSM Classic Champion. Glutvig, from the last few months, from Texas Tech, sweeping all of the college awards, finishing number one PGA Tour University and then coming out on the tour. You've won on the DP World Tour, You've won the Ryder Cup and now you are a PGA Tour winner. If we can get your comments on what that journey has been like?
Speaker 7:
I'm not sure I'm ever going to be able to put that into words, but you know there's a lot of people I want to thank that are close to me and it wouldn't been possible without them. So it's been a while six months but it's been so much fun. And you know I still pinch myself in the morning when I wake up to kind of realize that this is what I do for a job. And you know it's been so much fun and these experiences that I've had over the last six months has been beyond my dreams and you know I'll never forget it.
Speaker 6:
The records that you set this week are almost too many to mention, but you tied the low score in PGA Tour history in a 72 hole event. You won this tournament by a record seven shots. You had the low closing 36 hole score in PGA Tour history. Just talk to us a little bit about your play this week.
Speaker 7:
Yeah, I mean, I felt like I was striking the ball very well all week and, to be honest, I feel like I've been striking the ball quite well over the last couple of months. So it's, you know, it's just one of them weeks where everything kind of comes together. And you know, I made a few putts here and there that are very important. First two rounds I made a few nice park putts that kind of keeps the momentum going. And then, obviously today, McKenzie and I played some really good golf and you know he really pushed me and you know I think I pushed him as well. So to kind of make those few birdies when it matters is very, very cool.
Speaker 6:
Your win gets you into the century. You finish number 53 in the FedEx Cup fall standings, which gets you into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am and also the Genesis Invitational. Just talk a little bit about what this does for setting you on a path for 2024.
Speaker 7:
Yeah, I mean, when you put it like that, it's quite surreal. You know, if you would have told me this a couple of months ago, I would not have believed you. But you know, it makes me emotional, Think about it, but it's really, really cool.
Speaker 6:
And lastly, to do it here at CI, one which you've talked about, your affinity for this place before.
Speaker 7:
Yeah, definitely. I mean, I got to play the Jones Cup here two years ago in 21 and you know, fell in love with it. We were here, played a college event here last year. Fell in love with it again. So I've, you know, I've played all these courses around here at Seattle and you know I absolutely love it. And to kind of get my name on that trophy is very, very cool.
Speaker 6:
All right, good stuff. We'll open it up to questions. You'll raise your hand, we'll get a microphone to you. Yep, we'll start with Rex, okay.
Speaker 5:
Not to overstate this, but how would you assess your performance specifically over the last 36 holes?
Speaker 7:
I don't think I've ever shot back to back 61s, to be fair, so that's obviously something that I'll probably never, ever, ever gonna do again. But to do it here at Seattle and playing seaside golf course is one of my favorites. Just visually it was really cool. So I felt like I was playing well and then kind of got it all together when it really mattered.
Speaker 5:
What were your emotions like, if any, coming down the stretch? You looked outwardly very calm, but I'm sure there was a lot going on inside.
Speaker 7:
Oh, definitely. I mean, there's a lot of these scenarios running through your head. What's gonna happen? Am I gonna win? Am I not gonna win? I feel like I've had a lot of experience over the last few months to kind of prepare me for those moments and I try not to get ahead of myself. Even though you're playing with the lead on golf course like this, you still need to make birdies, you still need to chase, and obviously Mackenzie did that as well. So I think I was quite calm, but I was obviously very nervous. I can't really deny that. But it's really cool to kind of see myself do that and it gives me a lot of comfort and validity that I can do it.
Speaker 6:
Okay, let's go Sean, and then Gary.
Speaker 2:
What do you do to handle the nerves? Or what did you do today to handle the nerves?
Speaker 7:
You know, sometimes so my tendency is to get more stuck in the past, more so than the future. So I tend to get more disappointed and frustrated with myself, more so than getting angry. I never get angry, but I do get disappointed and that kind of lingers. So I think this week I did a really good job of letting that go and even though coming down the last couple of holes, obviously all these scenarios are running through my head of what's gonna look like when I'm on 18. And you know what's Mackenzie gonna do and he's gonna charge me. So I just, you know, through the back nine, really expected him to make a lot of birdies, which forced me to make birdies as well. But breathing really helps to kind of calm you down and then you try to just stay where your feet are really Just curious, your golf swing was it something that came naturally to you?
Speaker 2:
Was there someone you're trying to emulate or a teacher who made it that way? But you know we all talk about your ball striking and your swing always sort of that way and been refined.
Speaker 7:
Yeah, I mean I feel like me and my coach, Hans, back home we did a really good job quite early on to work on my swing and whenever I started the high school that I went to, where he's a coach, those I think like first two winners where we had this massive winter break in Sweden. We did a lot of work on the technical side of things and that's kind of been, you know, been maintained over the last couple of months or last couple of years, but there hasn't really been anyone that I try to emulate. You know, I don't think you can do that in golf. I think each and every body is different and it's gonna react differently and I think it's very difficult to try to copy one swing. So I just try to, you know, play my own game and then, you know, try to understand what your tendencies are and kind of pick up on that.
Speaker 8:
You want them both. Doors, rider cup. Now this, it's a long way from Lubbock, isn't it?
Speaker 7:
Yeah, everything is a long way from Lubbock. How did you get?
Speaker 8:
to Texas Tech.
Speaker 7:
So when I was recruited back a couple of years ago, my coach, greg Sains, came over to Europe. I was playing these junior events European boys and British boys and he came over, recruited me, and you know there has been a lot of Swedes and Scandinavians in the past at Tech, so I was able to kind of talk to them and, you know, get some inside information. And once I did my visit I fell in love with it and you know I still live there. I'm about to move though, but you know it's still. I still call it my second home.
Speaker 8:
And I know there's been a little bit of a breakneck. You know whirlwind for you since you got your card, you played a lot. You played a lot in Europe rider cup, all this. Do you have any plans to take it easy for the next few weeks or are you gonna play in some offseason stuff?
Speaker 7:
So I'll be playing the Grant Thornton Invitational event in Naples in December, so that'll be my last event of the year. I'm playing with Madeleine Saxchum, which is funny enough, my cat is fiancé, so I think he's gonna have a tough week that week. I'm gonna try to be nice to him, but I'll do that, and then I'll go back to Europe for a couple of weeks.
Speaker 6:
Alright, let's go at it.
Speaker 9:
How has Peter Hansen become a part of your team and what has he done to help you get to where you are right now?
Speaker 7:
Yeah, definitely Peter. I think I want to say just over a year, probably a year and a half, since we kind of first met and obviously his resume is unbelievable and he's one of the prolific Swedish players we've had and he's also a very nice friend. I think his experiences has helped me a lot. He's been there, he's done that, he's won big events and played in Ryder Cups and I think just his demeanor and small little things here and there that he can teach me. I try to do as much as he says. If he tells me something, I'll try to do that and he's a great mentor.
Speaker 9:
You're going to get to go to Augusta. What does that feel like?
Speaker 7:
Amazing, I haven't really thought about it that much, to be fair, but I guess that's such a special place and I can't wait to tee it up.
Speaker 2:
Alright, let's go over to Sean what's the best piece of advice you've received about playing Pro Golf?
Speaker 7:
Best piece of advice is. I think there's a lot that goes into it For me, because I was quite good in college. I knew that it was going to translate into Pro Golf and these guys that I've played with in college are as good as me and anyone can come out here and win, I feel like, because the level is so good in college. I think one of the most important advice is probably just to it sounds so cliche, but you need to play your own game. Like I said, with a swing, I don't try to copy anyone, I don't try to emulate anyone, I just try to play myself and then trust that it's good enough. And I think that's what college golf has made me realize and it's made me think that I can do it. And then, obviously, it's very, very fortunate for me that it pays off this quickly.
Speaker 2:
When did you realize you were good enough to do this?
Speaker 7:
I started playing very well in college and I started winning tournaments in college and I think the whole concept of winning a tournament I just fell in love with it. I just absolutely love it and there's something very weird and special about it and you just want to do it again, and again, and again, and ever since when I won in Switzerland, I still live off that and I'm sure I'm going to live off this for a very long time as well. Hopefully I'll be able to do it again, but it's really cool.
Speaker 5:
Have you ever been to Augusta the?
Speaker 7:
Masters, I have. Actually, we did my freshman year of college. We did a weekend trip with a couple of donors, so we got to spend a day at Augusta. We played the golf course and we played a part three course and I just had the best time.
Speaker 5:
And if you look back, since you left Lubbock and I know this is going to be hard, but what stands out you had so much fun and success at the Ryder Cup, win in Europe, win here. Is there one thing that stands out?
Speaker 7:
I think there's a lot of things that stands out. Obviously, this is going to be very high on the list, but I think the week we had in Rome was unbelievable as well. For me. To kind of build a relationship with those guys that obviously I've looked up to for such a long time and to come out on top and to win and to kind of be a part of history, I guess was really cool and it's really special to play in that team event and to see that whole team dynamic was awesome. And finally, where are you moving to and why? So? I'm moving to Tallahassee, florida, one of my good friends, vincent Norman, who also plays out here. He asked me if I wanted to hop in his guest room and I said yeah. So he's going to be my landlord for a little bit. So it'll be nice to kind of keep that social connection and social network that I had in college and to stay with him for a little bit.
Speaker 8:
I'm Gary and I'm Adam, watch out for Tennessee Street. What's that? That's a story from Tennessee Street, if you want to. I look back to Mexico. Last week and until number 12 today, you had 85 bogey-free holes in a row. When you're on that kind of a roll or when you birdie six out of eight. Today you had a couple of three. Are you aware of that? When it's going on, I didn't know the 85 holes.
Speaker 7:
I was aware that my first three rounds was bogey-free. That bogey I made on 12 sucks. But it's really cool. Like I said before, you just stay with my feet and try to hit the best shot as best as I can. It's really cool to sit back and look back at those things.
Speaker 8:
Not to belabor your only bad shot of the day, but what did happen on that tee shot?
Speaker 7:
It was 200 meters into the wind, my forehand is about 200 and I try to hit it way too hard. Whenever I do that, my tendency is to fly it out a little bit to the right. It was just one of them bad swings, but I was a little bit in between clubs, but I just try to hit it hard and then fly it up to the right.
Speaker 9:
When you look back at this victory, is there a shot or a hole or a moment that's going to stick out in your mind? Is this kind of the signature moment of this week?
Speaker 7:
I think my putt on 17. Just now, when I'm thinking about it, I think that one is. Obviously I hit it way too hard and it snapped at the end and went in. But that was quite cool. It makes the 18th hole a little bit more stress-free. I think I'm going to sleep well on that one.
Speaker 6:
Anything else. Well, Ludwig, it was fun watching it this week and we look forward to following you for the rest of your career. Congratulations once again.
Speaker 7:
Thanks so much.
Speaker 1:
So there you have it. You've heard from Ludwig and you've heard from Mackenzie and you've heard from me, frank Bassett, and we are going to get out of here because it is Thanksgiving week and I'm hungry, need some turkey, need some dressing, need some gravy, need some mashed potatoes, some sweet potatoes need some everything.
Speaker 1:
We really appreciate all of you listening to PGHR countdown. We'll have a really good show for you next week. We're going to have some guests for a change. Change the format just a little bit again because, well, there is a tournament going on next week. I should say something about that tournament. It is Tiger Woods tournament, the hero and the Bahamas, but we're going to bring you a lot of stuff. So for the Golf Talk America Network team and the PGHR countdown producers, I'm Frank Bassett saying we'll catch you around the turn.