Ludvig Åberg made his U.S. Open debut on Thursday at Pinehurst No. 2, and the Swedish phenom didn’t disappoint. He signed for a powerful 4-under 66 to take a seat one shot off the chief Patrick Cantlay, who tied Martin Kaymer’s file on this difficult observe.
Åberg recorded six birdies and simply two bogeys—a unbelievable begin for a first-timer at Pinehurst, particularly when so many guys shot excessive scores.
“It was a really good spherical of golf,” Aberg mentioned.
“Not lots to complain about.”
The 24-year-old hit 14-of-14 fairways and 16-of-18 greens in regulation. He additionally gained +2.19 strokes off the tee, +2.57 in strokes gained method, and +2.03 placing.
“Tremendous pleased with the way in which we hit it,” the reigning RSM Traditional winner mentioned.
“Tremendous pleased with the execution as we speak. I felt it was good and really encouraging. All we will attempt to do is stick with it and ensure that we’re able to go tomorrow.”
Åberg produced veteran-like numbers, not one thing one would count on from a man who simply hit his 12 months anniversary on the PGA Tour. Nonetheless, if the previous 12 months confirmed something, the 24-year-old Swede is mature past his years.
In his first main earlier this 12 months, the previous Texas Tech Pink Raider waltzed round Augusta Nationwide. He completed runner-up to Scottie Scheffler, dropping by 4, however was the one man shut sufficient to problem the World No. 1 down the stretch.
Nobody anticipated it from him that week, both.
The trick, although, is straightforward for Åberg.
“Staying very disciplined is necessary,” he mentioned. “There’s a variety of pins the place you don’t take into consideration going for.”
“Joe [Skovron], my caddie, we’ve got a variety of good conversations about sure areas that you simply attempt to hit it on. It’s troublesome to be very exact with the numbers and people issues. Attempt to get a gauge on the place to hit it, the place to overlook it—be sure that we keep disciplined in direction of issues.”
Being disciplined on programs like Pinehurst No. 2 and Augusta Nationwide aren’t any straightforward duties. However that’s the place his caddie’s expertise has helped the teenager preserve himself in examine.
“It’s actually arduous. Particularly when you could have a wedge in your hand or one thing like that the place usually you’d go on the pin, however you possibly can’t try this right here,” Åberg mentioned.
“It’s the U.S. Open—it’s imagined to be arduous.”
Having began on the again 9, Åberg performed his first three holes in 2-under par. He dropped a shot on his fifth gap however birdied his ninth, the 18th, to make the flip in 33 strokes. The Swedish golfer bought to 3-under on his tenth gap, the par-4 1st.
A birdie and bogey saved him at 3-under, however he was removed from performed. Åberg hit an unbelievable shot off the tee on the par-3 9 to 5 ft and sank his birdie putt to shut out his first spherical in a monumental approach.
The sport plan will stay the identical, although, and he mentioned he doesn’t have a selected quantity in thoughts.
“We’re making an attempt to handle our approach across the golf course,” he mentioned.
“Pinehurst is tough as it’s. It’s going to be troublesome, it’s going to be difficult. All we attempt to do is hit as many good photographs as we will, then see the place that provides up.”
Åberg could be the youngest man in his group, however he’ll head into the second spherical on Friday with loads of momentum. He’ll tee off at 1:36 p.m. ET with Tony Finau, who shot a 2-under 68, and Dustin Johnson, who struggled and posted a 4-over 74.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You too can comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
