LA JOLLA, CA– Adam Svensson and Ben Silverman would have liked better results at the Farmers Insurance Open. Svensson finished in a tie for 34th while Silverman wrapped up his week in a tie for 62nd. But luckily for both Canadians, this is the beginning of the season and there are a lot of positive aspects in both their games. If all facets of their game click on a consistent basis, expect to see Svensson and Silverman a fixture near the top of the leaderboard.
Svensson Experiences the Toughness of Torrey Pines
Adam Svensson, the Surrey, British Columbia native, is relishing his opportunity as a PGA Tour rookie. Where gaining knowledge and experience is crucial in order to build consistent results. Right out of the gate at the Sony Open in Hawaii, the young Canadian scored his career-best 61.
This week he was the low Canadian at the Farmers Insurance Open. But he experienced a disappointing 75 in the final round, with four bogeys on the card to just one birdie. It demonstrated that when the components of your game aren’t at a high level, the South Course at Torrey Pines will be punishing.
“If you aren’t hitting the fairways, you can shoot 80 out here,” said Svensson after his round. “I didn’t hit the driver too well. It really hurt my round overall.”
There are silver linings to Svensson’s week. He did finish tied for eighth in driving accuracy (35 of 56) and was second in the field in scrambling (20 of 25). But it was his putting that costed him, not sinking the crucial putts to go low on a consistent basis. Only one round for Svensson ended up in the 60’s, a 69 in the third round. But the young Canadian is eager to get back out there, constantly trying to mold his game into a consistent model for success. He will be playing at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he hopes to correct some of the setbacks at Torrey Pines.
“If I correct the mistakes I was making, I look forward to going low on the weekend in future tournaments,” said Svensson.
Silverman Second Consecutive Canadian to Play with Tiger Woods
Ben Silverman came into Torrey Pines with high hopes. After shooting an opening round 68, his confidence was at an all-time high. But disappointing consecutive rounds of 71, 72 and 75 put Silverman out of contention.
But like his Canadian co-patriot Mackenzie Hughes on Saturday, Silverman had the opportunity to be the second consecutive golfer from Canada to play with Tiger Woods on Sunday. An experience Silverman has not seen before.
“It was awesome to play with Tiger,” said Silverman after the round. “I’ve never been part of something like this. I learned a lot and there were some solid learning points that I can take back in my game. It was great to talk with him throughout the round as well. A solid pairing.”
Despite a disappointing final round 75, which included a double bogey on his fourth hole, Silverman sees some silver linings that he can use to improve for the coming weeks. He will be trying to qualify next week for the Phoenix Waste Management Open and like Svensson, competing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
“I definitely had some improvements in ball striking and tee to green this week compared to the past,” said Silverman. “My short game was solid but my putting was very inconsistent. In today’s final round, I wasn’t driving the ball in the fairway, leaving me tough shots in the rough.”
What this year in the PGA Tour has proven so far is that the Canadian contingent of golfers are willing to learn, modify their games and feel like they can contend every week. In no time, as Svensson states, would it be surprising to see multiple Canadians at the top of the leaderboard.
“It’s awesome to have this group of guys every week on the Tour,” said Svensson. “It makes you want to play better. And I look forward to the day where three Canadians are in the final group competing for a tournament.”
