The Genesis Invitational is poised brilliantly. The signature event at the Torrey Pines Golf Course, heads to the final day with Patrick Rodgers holding a 1-stroke lead over Denny McCarthy. Right behind them, and waiting to pounce on any mistake is the Swedish youngster Ludvig Aberg. Aberg had a brilliant start to Day 3 proceedings with a hole-in-one at the 3rd hole before hitting 4 bogeys and 4 birdies to finish 6 under par, 2 strokes off the lead.
After what was a topsy-turvy Day 3, Amanda Balionis sat with Ludvig Aberg to discuss his hole-in-one. The Swede used a pitching wedge to cover the 140-yard distance to the green. Thanks to the spin imparted by the wedge, the ball which hit the green ahead of the pin, rolled backward and into the hole for an ace. The 3rd hole of the South Course is a par-3 hole, which meant that Aberg also registered an eagle.
Recalling the incident, Aberg explained that the hole-in-one is of great significance to him, because it was his first ace in tournament play. Balionis was understandably shocked at the revelation. “Yeah, it was my first hole-in-one ever in a tournament. So, I’m thrilled. I’m more happy than anyone else.”
But what he revealed next was part embarrassing and part funny. Aberg in his state of excitement went towards Joe Skovorn, his caddie to celebrate. They went for the high-five, but unlike his pretty accurate golf swing, Aberg missed Skovorn’s hand completely. Both of them shrugged it off by not paying any attention, but the eagle-eyed camera caught the mishap, leading to an explanation from Aberg. “I whiffed my high five with Joe, right after. So that wasn’t very nice.” The Swede added a tad bit embarrassingly.
The celebration was a sore spot, but there is a reason why Aberg went to his caddie first. The two have a running bet going on, and the hole-in-one means that Aberg is one step closer to winning the bet.
Ludvig Aberg has to make seven hole-outs before the end of April. The Genesis Invitational has been very fruitful for the 25-year-old in this aspect. Aberg had an eagle at the 18th hole on Day 2 and that along with the ace on Day 3 makes it five hole-outs done. A very achievable two hole-outs are left for the young Swede, who has a little more than two months to achieve the target and pry some money from the experienced Skovorn.
“ I have a little bet with my caddie, Joe, to see how many hole-outs we can do this year, so that was one for the count.” Aberg clarified about the bet after his 18th-hole eagle on Day 2.
The bet is a subtle but interesting move on the part of Skovorn in a bid to increase the focus and quality while tapping into the rich competitiveness of Aberg.
Joe Skovorn, Ludvig Aberg’s trusted aide.
Skovorn initially caddied for a young Rickie Fowler, working with the American golfer for thirteen years till August 2022. He was part of 5 PGA Tour victories with Fowler before joining with Tom Kim as a caddie. Skovorn was right by Kim’s side when he won the Shriners Children’s Open in 2023.
“The journey that me and Joe have had, he’s not just my caddie. He’s really my big brother now,” Kim stated after his third PGA Tour ecstatically. “I would not have been able to get my third win this fast without him. So, you know I love him to death, and I’m very grateful that I have the opportunity, we have the opportunity to work together as a team. This one really goes out to him because he’s the best dude I’ve known.”
Aberg meanwhile had Jack Clarke, an Englishman as his caddie before he switched to Skovorn. Skovorn first caddied for the Swede at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and since then has been by his side. Skovorn’s experience on the course is a key reason why the Swede partnered with him. These small bets are a way of making things more interesting for the golfer.
Ted Scott, who caddies for Scottie Scheffler also does something similar with the World No.1 He explained it a bit jokingly, “It’s like fishing where the fish thinks it’s getting something. He’s a competitor so I like to figure out ways to make him competitive. It’s just a way to keep him engaged.” Good caddies have a way of bringing out the best in the golfers.
With a caddie that looks out for him, Aberg can only go from strength to strength. There is a reason why a caddie is an important part of a golfer’s team. His role is not just to get the club from the bag. He is required to be an advisor, a friend, a confidante, a mentor, and even more. What do you think of Joe Skovorn’s tactic? Do you think it will work for Aberg?
The post Amanda Balionis in Stitches as Ludvig Aberg Admits Embarrassing Moment That Followed His Torrey Pines Hole-in-One appeared first on EssentiallySports.
