“Conversations With Champions presented by Sentry” a weekly series of Golfweek. This week: Adam Svensson is the winner of 2022 RSM Classic.
Slow start Thursday, late eagle Friday, and the lifting of a Trophy Sunday.
Adam Svensson was on a high-wire act at the 2022 RSM Classic.
The winner of the PGA Tour for the first time shot a 1-over 73 in round one. It was the highest opening-round score in over two years.
An eagle on Friday’s 15th hole assured him he would make it to the weekend. That’s when he began heating up in the cold temperatures at Sea Island Plantation Course in St Simons Island.
He rose to the top of the leaderboard with a round of 62 on Saturday, and Sunday 64 was enough to win his first Tour title at the age 28.
After claiming his maiden win, Svensson stated that this is all he said.
AS: I played great in the first round, but I got nothing from it. On Friday, I felt like I should just keep doing the same thing. To be completely honest, I don’t know. I was so good that I knew if i just keep doing what I am doing, I will get better. It’s amazing to be on top.
Q: You are now No. 2, the second Canadian winner of this season. 6 in the FedEx Cup standings. Let’s talk about how it changes your goals moving forward.
AS: It definitely changes my schedule. Naturally, I will be attending more events. I will have more time to play and prepare for bigger events. I am excited.
Adam Svensson, winner of the 2022 RSM Classic on St. Simons Island in Georgia, holds the trophy. (Photo by Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press
Q. Can you tell me about the birdies you made on 16 and 17.
AS: I saw the leaderboard for 15 at the par 5, and thought it was a bad shot. However, I made par and looked up the leaderboard. However, I knew that there were good birdie opportunities on 16, 17 and 17, both with a front flag. The shot on 16 was a bit spinny, but it was a fair putt uphill to the right. I knew it well enough that it went in. The one on 17 I didn’t expect it to go in but somehow it did.
Q. Was there frustration in thinking that the Plantation course was the easier one?
AS: I was extremely frustrated. It was clear that I would just continue doing what I do. It was a flush on Thursday, so I didn’t get much out of my round. Friday I was just grinding. I don’t know what I was doing, I just put great, hit it great and kept hitting the fairway and hitting it on green. I don’t know. I knew that if I keep playing well, good things would happen. I discovered something in my last week’s golf swing, and it just sort of stayed with me this week.
Q. What did you think was the biggest difference between Thursday and the rest?
AS: I putt, for sure. I tweaked a bit, and on Friday I made some changes to my stroke. It felt really good. It was just something I did.
Q. Adam, did you look at the leaderboard on Friday enough to see how far you were behind the cut?
AS: On Thursday, I decided that I would shoot around 4-under par. I told my caddie. We had a game plan that would allow us to shoot this and make it to the top and then we just kept moving up.
Q. The money is great and the two year exemption is excellent, but when did you think of Kapalua Masters, Players, or other similar thoughts?
AS: It was something I hadn’t thought about until 15 minutes ago. It’s more satisfying to me than money, and I am prouder of the things I have accomplished since I started. I am proud of what I have done.
Q. When did you realize that I could win this tournament?
AS: I was teeing off. It’s hard to say, but I knew I was doing great and had to keep my distance. I had to remind myself at the beginning of the day that I didn’t make any bogeys and that I was putting well.
Q. How long have your been working with John Graham for?
AS: A little over a year, about a year.
Q. Was the thing you did on Friday to improve your putting? Was it something he suggested, or something that you came up with yourself?
AS: We work hard on my stroke flow and sometimes the longer ones. This week it was especially fast so having a bit more flow has helped with speed control. Sometimes I get a little jittery. A lot of flow, but a little more in the backstroke.
Q. What have you done to improve your performance on the PGA Tour?
AS: When I was younger, I relied mainly on my talent. I didn’t do enough work and I wasn’t very disciplined. Two years ago, I made the decision to give it 100%. This is the reason.
Adam Svensson reacts after he putts on the first hole of the 2022 RSM Classic, St. Simons Island. Georgia. (Photo by Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press
Q: In the interview with Golf Channel, you mentioned that you had considered quitting golf a few years back. Was that the point?
AS: Every Tour player would like to give up golf every once in awhile. Although you may say it, you don’t. It’s a feeling that you have because you feel so low and aren’t playing well. After losing my Tour card, I made the decision to give it 100%.
Q: How were like conversations? Q: Did you have a person or group that you could rely on to help you plan the course?
AS: It’s all about you. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, as long as you have the will to succeed.
To actually do the work. That’s what I love about myself.
Q: Before this week, you hadn’t made it to the cut at this tournament. Is that due to the course being unsuitable for you, or because you played poorly this week? How can you explain that?
AS: The golf course at Seaside is tough and the greens are fast. I thought that my putting was not quite up to par, with a few mistakes. You know, that’s probably why I’m improving and getting better.
Q: You mentioned the birdie at 17. Did you know that the scoreboard was at that point? It looked like it was just right. So you hit that. How do you feel, two strokes up after that birdie? Are you ready to hit the 18-hole tee box?
Never doubt
@AdamSvensson59 leads by 2 with 1 left to play @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/pPho3FEgiX
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR November 20, 2022
AS: I was so excited, I was literally pumped. If I could hit 18 fairway, I would be able to make par or even bogey.
Q. Do you have nerves?
AS: Yes, it was swing 50 percent. That 50 percent is likely 80 percent. This was my mentality going into the last few holes. I just wanted to swing 50 percent.
Q: Although we’ve seen some rounds of 62 and 63 from you over the past few years, you clearly went low in the three last rounds. What do you think your mentality or game is that allows you to play low quite often?
AS: It’s not about being short-sided, but ball-striking consistency. I am definitely improving at playing without flags. I used to fire at all the flags before. You can shoot very low numbers when the putter is hot.
Q. How did you feel going back to Korn Ferry Tour 2020-21?
AS: Recognizing that I wasn’t as skilled as I thought I was, and understanding how hard it is for everyone on this tour to get there. To be honest, it was a blessing. It changed everything and my life.
Q. What was the one area you excelled in during your second career stint?
AS: I’d say putting. I put a lot of effort into it in the last six months. However, I like to chip, put, and hit. You just get better every day if you put in the work.
After winning the 2022 RSM Classic on St. Simons Island in Georgia, Adam Svensson meets Patrick Rodgers. (Photo by Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press
Q. What was the hardest part about starting your career?
AS: It was short putts that I enjoyed with confidence. You feel confident when you putt, and you feel like you can do anything.
Q. What does the fact that you are leading the field statistically this week in strokes gained for putting say about you?
AS: That was something I didn’t know. Cool. It’s a sign that the work I do with John is paying off, which is nice.
Q. When did you quit drinking?
AS: Two years ago. Although I have probably had five or six drinks, I stopped drinking. I like going out with the guys and having drinks.
Q. Is it for tonight too?
AS: I am supposed to drive home tonight so yes. Perhaps I will.
Q: It’s a fact that no one can ever take away your PGA Tour win. That’s something you’ll keep on your resume, your mind, and your memory for the rest of your life. How does it feel to know that you have achieved your goal?
AS: This has been a dream of mine since I was ten years old. It was a dream that I had from the age of eight. It’s amazing. It doesn’t matter what the money is doing, it’s not worth my time. It’s that feeling of winning, coming down the stretch, and winning. You can’t beat it.
Q. Can you tell me about the moment you came to Jesus?
AS: I don’t recall. I only woke up one day and thought that was it.
that’s it. It was just a matter of time.
Q. Was it after a tournament that ended in a draw or after you got drunk?
AS: Most likely a hangover. I don’t know. I don’t.
remember.
