{"id":483486,"date":"2026-02-18T17:49:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T17:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/483486\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T17:49:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T17:49:10","slug":"report-ludvig-aberg-first-to-take-advantage-of-pga-tour-rule-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/483486\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Ludvig Aberg first to take advantage of PGA Tour rule update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ludvig Aberg became the first PGA Tour<\/a> player to take advantage of a rule update, according to a report.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Per the Associated Press, the Swede was the first golfer to immediately swap his driver<\/a> on the course after cracking the face.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aberg hit his drive out of bounds on the 18th hole during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am<\/a> and noticed a small dent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A rules official approved the crack and Aberg was able to attach the replacement there and then as he kept a spare in his bag.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Ludvig <\/p>\n

Ludvig Aberg<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Under the previous rule, Aberg would’ve had to wait for a member of his team to go and grab a spare from the locker room.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But Model Local Rule G-9 was updated at the start of the season to allow players to keep a spare head in their tour bags.\u00a0<\/p>\n

PGA Tour rules official Steve Rintoul said<\/a> they pushed hard for the change as the old method was “so archaic”.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A guy discovers a crack on the 10th tee, his caddie can go to the locker room,” he told AP.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“If it’s on the 14th tee, it might be two holes before he gets it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

“We like the fact if a club is cracked or broken, it can be replaced right there. The old method of the replacement was so archaic.”<\/p>\n

Aberg<\/a> ended up making a bogey on the hole. He finished the signature event in a share of 37th.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Ludvig <\/p>\n

Ludvig Aberg<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old has had a tough start to the season. He withdrew from the American Express after two rounds with an illness and missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He is looking to bounce back with a strong performance at the Genesis Invitational where he is the defending champion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Model Local Rule G-9 was previously updated for the 2025 season, following the controversy at the 2024 BMW Championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Matthew Fitzpatrick noticed a crack in his driver mid-round and asked a rules official if he could replace it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the visible dent, Fitzpatrick was not allowed to replace it as the rule stated it had to be broken or significantly damaged.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His playing partner, Scottie Scheffler<\/a>, took the Englishman’s side as the situation unfolded.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hot mics picked up Fitzpatrick describing the situation as “outrageous” and an “absolute disgrace”.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Remind yourself of the moment here:<\/p>\n

Matt Fitzpatrick, 36th in the FedExCup entering the week, called for a ruling for a driver crack.<\/p>\n

Under the USGA\u2019s Model Local Rule G-9, a club is not replaceable solely because of a crack, and he was not permitted to replace it at the time due to lack of significant damage. pic.twitter.com\/X5kEPkee1q<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PGA TOUR LIVE (@PGATOURLIVE) August 25, 2024<\/a>Subscribe to our Newsletter