It’s not every day you see a senior player openly praising the rising star who just handed them two defeats in less than 24 hours. But that’s exactly what Justin Thomas did after losing to Ludvig Aberg in their TGL showdown following Aberg’s dramatic Genesis Invitational victory at Torrey Pines.
“What a wild ride yesterday was for our @tglgolf double header! A lot of clutch putts and shots had by the guys for a hard-fought victory in OT and almost snuck away with another one,” JT posted on Instagram, reflecting on the intensity of the Presidents Day matches.
The day’s showdown saw Thomas’s Atlanta Drive GC face off against Aberg’s The Bay GC in a tightly contested battle. After Thomas’s clutch chip-in forced overtime in an earlier match, Aberg’s near-ace on the par-3 14th hole proved decisive in The Bay’s 6-5 victory. Thomas, displaying remarkable sportsmanship, acknowledged his opponent’s versatility: “Turns out @luddeaberg is just as good at simulator golf as outside golf…@atlantadrivegc plays again next week!”
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This TGL defeat followed their earlier encounter at the Genesis Invitational, where both players were on contrasting trajectories. While Thomas managed a respectable T9 finish with a final-round 69, he found himself a distant seven shots behind Aberg, who showcased his superiority with a spectacular final-round 66. The Swedish star’s four birdies in the last six holes at Torrey Pines left Thomas and others in his wake.
The Bay GC perfected its 3-0 record as they triumphed over Boston Golf Club by 5-4, with Aberg’s performance particularly impressive considering his cross-country journey. Landing in Palm Beach at 3:30 AM with just two hours of sleep after his Genesis victory celebration, he showed no signs of fatigue as he transferred his traditional golf excellence to the simulator format.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Justin Thomas (@justinthomas34)
Lately, JT has been navigating more than just fairways. Since welcoming his daughter Molly in November 2024, he has been candid about the challenges of balancing fatherhood with professional golf. “Being a dad is way more challenging than anything I had to do out there,” Thomas revealed, highlighting his new reality of sleepless nights and diaper duties.
For Thomas, these back-to-back encounters with Aberg test his competitive spirit, for sure. He aims to come out of his winless drought this year and aims for a stunning Scheffler-like 2024 season. Playing with talented and uprising stars like Aberg will indeed continue to keep Thomas on his toes.
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Ludvig Aberg’s meteoric rise continues
The world knew Aberg was here to dominate when he became the first player ever in 2023 to play in the Ryder Cup without having played in any major. Then came his PGA Tour debut, and he left everyone stunned. He won the 2023 RSM Classic. Then in 2024, he continued to leave everyone in awe, finishing T2 at the Masters. The Swedish sensation’s dominance in both formats is no coincidence.
His Genesis Invitational victory at Torrey Pines was a masterclass in precision and nerve, as he outdueled Maverick McNealy. Leading the field in strokes gained (+12.311) and ranking second in driving distance (314.6 yards), he reached a career-high fourth position in the world rankings.
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He has shown remarkable resilience, even bouncing back from recent health struggles that forced his withdrawal from the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am due to a stomach ailment. His calculated risk-taking and elite ball-striking were on full display at Torrey Pines, where he led the field in greens in regulation at 75%. His ability to excel in both traditional and technological formats of golf, combined with his remarkable endurance and adaptability, suggests we’re witnessing the emergence of a truly modern golf champion.
What are your thoughts on Aberg’s incredible display of versatility and Thomas’s graceful response to these challenges? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!