When golfers suddenly change their equipment, it’s usually a sign of frustration with their game. But Ludvig Aberg bucked this trend at the Genesis Invitational last weekend.
Heading into the final day just two strokes behind the leader, Aberg made the surprising decision to switch out his Titleist GT2 driver, which he’d used for the first three rounds, in favor of his trusty Titleist TSR2 driver from the previous season. This was a bold move, especially since he’d been doing well with the GT2, being among the top in the Strokes Gained: Off The Tee category through those 54 holes. On Sunday, however, the swap meant he lost about a third of a stroke off the tee.
Yet, as golf fans have come to expect, Aberg shot an impressive 66 on Sunday and clinched the Genesis by a single stroke, earning his second PGA Tour victory.
In a conversation on GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast, co-hosts Kris McCormack and Wadeh Maroun speculated on Aberg’s last-minute switch, although Aberg hasn’t opened up much about his reasons. McCormack noted his own testing showed the TSR2 had a more draw-biased shot compared to the more neutral GT2, which might have influenced Aberg’s decision after his performance on Saturday. Though Aberg didn’t fare as well off the tee with the GT2 in that third round, he still managed to eke out a slight gain of 0.07 strokes.
McCormack pondered whether Aberg had noticed something off with his shots on Saturday or perhaps a change in the wind that made the TSR2, with its different ball flight, seem like a better match for certain holes. “I’m wondering if he was looking for a draw or just had more faith in the TSR2,” McCormack mused. “There are so many factors, who knows?”
An intriguing point McCormack raised was how well the TSR2 performs with low-heel strikes during both his and players’ tests. Not to diminish the GT2’s capabilities on less-than-perfect shots, but the TSR2 excelled in this area. Of course, Aberg isn’t known for missing the sweet spots too often. “Who knows if that’s even a concern for him? These guys hardly ever miss,” McCormack joked.
Interestingly, Aberg retained the TSR2 with its Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X shaft from the GT2 for his next outing in the TGL Match. It’ll be interesting to see if and when he brings back the GT2. For more insights from the show, check out the complete podcast episode.
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Jack Hirsh, the article’s author and GOLF.com’s Associate Equipment Editor, offers expertise drawn from his Pennsylvania roots and his time on the Penn State university golf team. His background includes broadcasting and a keen interest in remaining active in the local amateur golf scene. You can reach him at [email protected].
