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Player of the year? Cases made for many

Readers of The First Call offer their thoughts on which player put together the best 2023 — and there were some surprises

Ludvig Aberg — Omega Masters 2023
Before turning professional in June, 24-year-old Swede Ludvig Aberg was ranKed No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. After turning pro, he won on both the PGA and European tours, along with helping Europe win the Ryder Cup.

Question of the week [November 27 – December 3]: Who do you believe is the 2023 Player of the Year, regardless of Tour?

RELATED: The First Call Inbox archive

Michael Block. He was professional golf’s everyman who gave hope to the amateur and elevated the status of the teaching professional.

James Brock
Atlanta, Georgia
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I believe the player of the year has to be Viktor Hovland. With three wins and always a threat I think he merits the selection. Plus he is an all-round great guy. 

Paul Vicary
The Villages, Florida
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My player of the year is unquestionably Ludvig Aberg. Who has done more?? Aberg completes university golf in May, helps Europe win the Ryder Cup and — oh, by the way — wins on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. No one had a better year in golf in 2023.

Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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My vote goes to Lucas Glover. He should have made the Ryder Cup instead of those few in the good old boy network. 

Jim Fuquay
Indianapolis, Indiana
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Pure and simple ... Steve Stricker.

Vince Zachetti
Greensburg, Pennsylvania 
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Early in the year, it was all about Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler. Late in the year, it was Viktor Hovland. But if you take the year from A to Z, take a look at the stats. And although there was no major win beside his name, no one was close in terms of top finishes and ball striking than Scottie Scheffler. Two early wins, including the Players, and ball striking stats only Tiger Woods has ever delivered. 

If Scottie could have putted (162nd  in strokes gained putting for the year), there is no telling how many wins there would have been. Let's go with Scottie as the winner with a close second-place tie between Hovland (the current world's best player) and Rahm.

Barry Duckworth
Knoxville, Tennessee
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I believe it should Jay Monahan. He played everybody ... right into the hands of LIV and the Saudis. Everyone talks about the big paydays for Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, et al. What about Monahan? I’ll bet he pocketed the biggest wad of all. And his feigning illness? Just an excuse to hide from the media.

Michael Rutledge
Sarasota, Florida
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