Ludvig Aberg returned to Torrey Pines in far better health and showed it when he birdied four of the last six holes to claim a one-shot victory over Maverick McNealy in the Genesis Invitational.
Aberg shared the 36-hole lead at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open three weeks ago until getting so sick he barely made it through the tournament and had to withdraw the following week, a nasty illness that caused him to lose 10 pounds.
This weekend’s event relocated to Torrey from Riviera because of the wildfires in Los Angeles, and Aberg made good on another chance at one of his favourite courses.
“It was really cool.”
Ludvig Åberg poses with the trophy after winning the Genesis Invitational. Getty
This took all he had. McNealy birdied eight of his opening 11 holes and led by three shots when he stood on the 17th tee. He finished with a pair of pars for a 64.
“It’s more than I could have asked for at the start of the day … Ludvig played awesome,” McNealy said after he started five shots behind.
“I knew with that leaderboard it was going to take some great golf to get it done.”
Aberg won $6.3 million (AUD) for his third victory worldwide since turning pro and now moves to No. 4 in the world.
Scottie Scheffler tied for third with Patrick Rodgers (71) after falling five shots behind with a 76 on Sunday (AEDT), his highest score in nearly three years.
Scottie Scheffler at the Genesis Invitational. Getty
That didn’t stop him from making a brief run. He went out in 31 with five birdies, including a chip-in on the fifth hole, and got to within one shot – but he couldn’t afford many mistakes, and he made two of them.
Scheffler played with Rory McIlroy and put five shots between them on the front nine.
McIlroy couldn’t buy a putt and could only laugh at one point during the round, finishing with a bogey from the water on the 18th for a 72.
At one stage, McIlroy’s putting woes led to a tense exchange with a fan.
Tournament host Tiger Woods watched the action unfold from the broadcast booth.
Woods withdrew from the tournament as he coped with the death of his mother, Kultida, last week. Players wore a red button that had the Thai symbol of love to honour her.
