He struggled in most parts of his game at Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia (par 70), finishing with a 72.
"I didn't drive the ball well, I didn't hit the irons that well, I didn't hit the putts well. A little bit of everything," says the 26-year-old.
Aside from his 21st place in the US Masters - the first major of the year - Åberg has shown consistent form in recent months with five top 8 finishes.
"Frustrating"
During the first round of the PGA Championship, he displayed an equally steady game for a long time.
Åberg started his round on the 10th hole. He began with a big bogey after a three-putt from just over eight meters, but after two birdies and otherwise pars, the Swede was one stroke under par with six holes left to play and was well placed in the second major of the season.
Then Åberg lost ground when he made two straight bogeys on his 13th and 14th holes of the day.
After an unsuccessful tee shot on the penultimate hole - par 3 - another bogey came and he finished with 72 strokes (two over par) on his scorecard.
"Of course it's frustrating and a little boring, but we'll have to work on it and come out a little sharper tomorrow," Åberg said.
17 pars for Norén
Alex Norén's day looked completely different. Norén accounted for one bogey and a whopping 17 pars for a total of +1.
"I missed a few drives and a few irons, and if you do that on this course it's tough. I'm pretty happy to finish one over," Norén told Viaplay.
Major debutant Mikael Lindberg - the third Swede in the competition - also came in at one stroke over par and shares 49th place with Norén. Lindberg earned a spot in the PGA Championship after a victory on the DP World Tour in Turkey recently.
Several world stars had a tough time. Two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau, USA, finished at +6. Six-time major winner Rory McIlroy - who won his second straight US Masters in April - finished four strokes over par.
"Shit," McIlroy said when asked if he could put his first round into words.
Alex Norén and Mikael Lindberg are both tied for 49th place after their 71 strokes in the first round. Ludvig Åberg is tied for 67th place with 72 strokes.
A total of seven players share the lead at 67 strokes (-3).
