The Players: Ludvig Åberg rues blowing big lead after late spiral at TPC Sawgrass as Matt Fitzpatrick takes positives from charge

Ludvig Åberg admits nerves impacted his recreation as he blew a three-shot result in give up his grip on The Gamers Championship at TPC Sawgrass on Sunday.

The in a single day chief had been usually composed throughout a entrance 9 that underscored his title credentials, just for a bogey at 11 and a double-bogey at 12 to derail his closing spherical.

In doing so he paved the way in which for the pairing of Cam Younger and Matt Fitzpatrick to take management of the event, the previous ultimately rising victorious by one stroke at 13 below to gather his second PGA Tour title whereas Åberg closed out on 9 below in a tie for fifth.

“Clearly actually dissatisfied,” mentioned Åberg. “I felt like I used to be placing it okay early on. Bought away with a number of issues, particularly [on] No 4, type of left miss. However general happy with the week. Clearly right this moment the again 9 was not good, however that is the way in which it goes generally.”

His defining interval got here at 11 when he dragged a wild second shot into the water earlier than taking a drop on his method to a bogey, pulling him again to 12 below par.

A momentum shift was confirmed moments later when he despatched his tee shot at 12 into the water as soon as extra, earlier than displaying edgy indicators along with his putter on the inexperienced because the stress mounted in distinction to his in any other case unflappable character for a lot of the week.

“It acquired away from me fast there,” he mentioned. “Yeah, it was simply poor swings. I felt like I’ve had that type of seven-wood proper miss a number of occasions this week, on No 4 particularly twice, and it got here up on 11 as effectively.

“Then tried to press a little bit bit on 12, hitting driver, the place generally you’ll be able to play 3-wood a little bit in need of that bunker. Yeah, clearly actually dissatisfied. I might have beloved to be standing the place Cameron is standing proper now. However general I nonetheless felt like I noticed some good issues in my recreation this week.

“We had type of a recreation plan as driver could be an choice, and right this moment clearly the wind was a little bit bit totally different from what we have had, and it was an excellent wind for it. However yeah, it was a poor swing, a extremely poor swing, and it undoubtedly stings a little bit bit.”

A theme to each Åberg’s week and rise to stardom has been his calm manner, although the Swede admitted adversity alongside his again 9 provoked some rushed pictures.

“Yeah, I believe so. I believe so. I undoubtedly felt a little bit bit quick at occasions,” he mentioned. “I might think about if I take a look at these swings on type of 11, 12, they in all probability have been fast swings.

“Takeaway acquired actually quick after which the remainder of it type of spirals from there. That is one thing that I ought to have been conscious of, now trying again. However yeah, that is the way in which it goes.”

Fitzpatrick: I’ve excessive expectations of myself

With Åberg’s demise got here alternative for Fitzpatrick, who at one stage put himself within the driving seat on 13 below just for two bogeys in his closing 5 holes to show pivotal to Younger’s victory.

The Yorkshireman had began the day 5 pictures again earlier than exploding out of the blocks with three birdies in his first 4 holes, and one other two at 12 and 13 to reap the benefits of Åberg’s plummet.

“I believe the large factor is I consider in my very own skill,” Fitzpatrick mentioned of his recreation afterwards. “I really feel like I have been doing a ton of excellent work with Mark Blackburn and simply actually, actually seen so many constructive indicators over the past 12 months, actually.

“I really feel like I do not – I used to be saying final night time to my psychologist – I really feel like I am excellent at getting myself into place between 15 and 5. I do not really feel like – I do not really feel like I get in sufficient positions between 5 and first.

“I really feel like if I can try this, clearly it is simpler mentioned than achieved, then I consider I’ll win extra. It is clearly simpler mentioned than achieved, however I again myself down the stretch, and I really feel like if I can try this, then it will be good issues.”

Fitzpatrick was left to rue a poor end to his third spherical which noticed him card a double bogey at 18 following back-to-back birdies.

“I felt like I used to be enjoying effectively,” he mentioned. “The frustration of final night time was I felt prefer it was going to chunk me. Clearly right this moment it has.

“That was my solely double of the week and you retain these off your card right here and you will have an excellent week. That was the frustration, feeling as if you are out of place and also you get your bogey – worst case – and transfer o. To complete as sloppy as I did was irritating.”

Fitzpatrick and Younger have been degree at 13 below heading over to 18, the place the Englishman left himself with work to do by discovering the timber off the ultimate tee.

He went on to overlook his putt from eight ft at hand the win to Younger, who closed issues out with a close-range par putt.

“I’ve excessive expectations of myself, I consider in my skill coming down the stretch and do not essentially really feel I get myself in these positions sufficient,” mentioned Fitzpatrick. “Within the final 12 months I’ve achieved a greater job of it, however I really feel like after I do get in these positions I give myself an excellent likelihood to go on and win.

“Right now was one other of these days the place realistically I am a gnat’s do-dah from getting right into a play-off and profitable. It is a robust one to take the way it ended, however the previous cliche – a lot of positives.”

What’s subsequent?

The PGA Tour stays in Florida for the Valspar Championship, held on the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Membership in Palm Harbor. Early protection begins on Thursday from 11.30am on Sky Sports activities Golf, forward of full protection from 6pm.

There’s lower than 4 weeks to go till the opening males’s main of the 12 months, with McIlroy’s title defence at The Masters completely stay from April 9-12 on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.