Ludvig Åberg thinks about winning a lot.
The 26-year-old Swede carries a three-shot lead into Sunday’s final round at The Players Championship, positioning himself for the biggest title of his young career. It’s the largest 54-hole advantage at TPC Sawgrass since Webb Simpson’s seven-shot cushion in 2018.
Åberg doesn’t shy away from visualizing victory—he embraces it.
“I’m trying to be okay with all those things that come with it, which is why we play golf,” Åberg said after Saturday’s round. “We spend so much time practicing, playing, training, preparing, so why wouldn’t we think of what it would actually mean to win? So, naturally, that’s what I’m going to do tonight. But does it change anything for me tomorrow? I don’t think so.”
Saturday at Sawgrass offered perfect conditions—light winds and receptive greens—yet no contender truly capitalized. Åberg started slowly with an early bogey before finding momentum with a birdie at the ninth and eagle at the 11th. His round ended with a frustrating three-putt on 18.
“The three-putt on 18 kind of stings, annoys me a little bit,” Åberg admitted. “But overall I started the day with a two-shot lead and ended with a three, so that’s a positive for sure. It’s all about executing—you’re going to get punished if you don’t, which is a fun way to play golf.”
That’s classic Åberg—unflappable, thoughtful, and enjoying the challenge. But he’ll be nervous Sunday. He’s been nervous all week.
“I’ve been nervous every time I step on 17 tee box as well,” he said of Sawgrass’ notorious island green. “I think it’s part of it. Whoever says they don’t get nervous is not really true to themselves.”
Åberg has developed methods to manage his nerves. When he catches himself talking fast, breathing fast, or getting worked up—his personal tells—he deliberately slows everything down. He walks slower, talks slower. Even his caddie, Joe Skovron, matches his pace. This technique has served him well in pressure situations, including the Ryder Cup.
Local knowledge might give Åberg an edge Sunday. Though Swedish by birth, he now calls Ponte Vedra, Florida home and practices regularly at TPC Sawgrass. The move from Texas Tech in 2023 to the Jacksonville area was a “pretty easy decision” for the two-time PGA Tour winner.
In a fortunate twist, Åberg’s final-round playing partner, Michael Thorbjornsen, also lives about 15 minutes from the course. The two have history dating back to junior golf, and Thorbjornsen, who sits alone in second place at 10 under after a 5-under 67, has long admired Åberg despite being only a year younger.
“I love playing golf with him,” Thorbjornsen said about the pairing. Åberg was already discussing the matchup with Skovron before Saturday’s round concluded: “It looks like we’re playing with Michael tomorrow, which will be fun.”
Both players represent success stories from the PGA Tour University program, designed to bridge the gap between college and professional golf. Åberg (2023) and Thorbjornsen (2024) each finished No. 1 in their respective classes to earn Tour cards.
The leaderboard behind them is stacked with talent capable of making a Sunday charge. Cameron Young sits solo third at nine under, followed by a group at eight under that includes major champions Matt Fitzpatrick, Brian Harman, Viktor Hovland, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele, along with Corey Conners.
“If you keep putting yourself in that position, it’s going to happen at some point,” Thorbjornsen said. “The main goal of all of us players out here is to have a chance or be in contention on the back nine on Sunday, and however the cards may fall, that’s just how it is.”
