The Genesis Invitational proved to be a thriller of a contest. Ludvig Aberg emerged victorious against a fighting Maverick McNealy in a game that went down to the wire. The Swede clinched his second PGA Tour victory and the first at a signature event, taking home the $4 million prize money.

Post the victory, CBS Reporter Amanda Balionis talked to Aberg about how the tournament shaped up for him and also about the host of the tournament, Tiger Woods. Aberg, who grew up idolizing Woods and his game, was excited to be sharing the stage with his role model. And Tiger Woods feels the same way as well.

Amanda Balionis quizzes Aberg on Tiger Woods’s presence

Aberg is also part of the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy-led innovative league TGL. The youngster is in the Bay Golf Club team, along with Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee, and Shane Lowry. Balionis revealed that Tiger Woods was present watching Aberg hit shots for nearly 10 minutes at the SoFi Center before their match. The veteran seems to have immense respect for the Swede’s talent and skill.

Aberg was also ecstatic when speaking about Tiger Woods. He echoed the sentiments of millions of golf fans across the world with his four-word response to Balionis about the 15-time Major winner.“He is the GOAT,” summed up Aberg perfectly.

The Swede was born in 1999, three years after Woods turned professional. So there is little to no doubt that Aberg’s formative golf years were spent watching the American golfer ace tournament after tournament. In fact, all 82 of Woods’s PGA Tour victories came before Aberg made it professional. So the young golfer would be relishing any chance he gets to pick the brains of one of the best in the sport.“I was the same. I was watching Tiger videos on YouTube and watching every tournament I could.”

At the victory ceremony, Aberg’s delight was evident as he was handed the winner’s trophy by the man himself. Woods, who was donned in his traditional ‘Sun Day Red’ outfit despite not playing was equally excited to hand the trophy to an up-and-coming youngster. Is this a symbolic passing of the torch? That is something we will have to wait and see. “He means a lot to our game and to win this event is quite surreal,” Aberg told Amanda Balionis.

Tiger Woods’s impact goes beyond the course. He is hosting the Genesis Invitational to benefit his charity, the TGR Foundation. The foundation is focussing on providing relief to the California fire victims. Genesis, PGA Tour, and TGR Live kick-started California Rises, which will provide aid to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, the California Fire Foundation, and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation. A role model for kids, for sure.

Ludvig Aberg recalls intense Sunday

Ludvig Aberg’s last outing at the Torrey Pines Golf Course was not exactly fun. The young golfer started strong at the Farmers Insurance Open but fell off after falling ill, finishing a disappointing T42. The illness forced him out of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the WM Phoenix Open as well. So when Amanda Balionis asked about the same, he jokingly recalled the difficulties he faced the last time he was at the course.“I was walking down one of the last holes. Sunday is a little bit more fun than the last one we had.”

The last day went down to the wire. Aberg started the day in 3rd position and two strokes of the lead. However, two early bogeys in holes 4 and 5 put him in a precarious position, heading to the home stretch. The Swede displayed great mental strength to recover and fight for the top spot.“It was awesome. It was a great fight. Obviously the golf course is tough. Felt like I was in control of the ball flight all day. Really proud of the way I finished.”

And what a way to finish. McNealy had started strong with 8 birdies in 11 holes and seemed to be cruising to victory. However, Aberg came up clutch. The Swede knocked down 6 birdies in the last twelve holes, including a birdie in the final hole to win the event by 1 stroke.

His play on the 12th hole was crucial. His second stroke landed on the bunker on the side of the green. But he pulled off a brilliant stroke to land next to the pin and make par. That shifted the momentum in his favour.“The putt on 12 was big because at that point I think the lead was 12 and the putt to stay at 8. It was sort of like I kind of need to make this,” Aberg recalled to Balionis. Make it he did. The momentum pushed him forward as he made 4 birdies in the next 6 holes en route to his victory.

Despite the CBS broadcast being questionable at times, the Genesis Invitational proved to be a thrilling contest that fans will remember for a long time. Aberg will be looking to use this momentum in his favor as the business end of the 2025 PGA Tour is coming up. Do you think the Swede will win his first major this year?