Ludvig Åberg came to this week's US Masters as world number five, which means that he – at least on paper – is the best player without a major title.
It says a lot about how fast it has gone in the 25-year-old Scanian's golf career.
Not even two years have passed since he turned pro at the beginning of summer 2023. Only four months later, he got to play Ryder Cup. In his major debut at Augusta National a year ago, he came second. And on a total of 43 tournaments on the PGA tour, Ludvig Åberg has earned 17.9 million dollars, equivalent to around 180 million kronor.
"Clever as it is"
An explanation for the successes is the carefree attitude that Åberg shows both on and off the course.
I like to think that I chat just as much with my caddie regardless of whether I'm five over par or five under par, says Åberg.
This game is so difficult, and it will go up and down. It's clever as it is, and I want to try to be consistent in what I do.
Many who followed the thrilling conclusion in last year's Masters surely remember how Åberg managed to smile on hole 11, shortly after he had hit his approach into the water and in practice played away his chances of winning.
"Embrace it"
But it doesn't mean that he takes it lightly to play Masters, the tournament that he has dreamed about since childhood.
No, I go into it as if it's one of the biggest tournaments of the year. I had the same attitude last year when I just tried to embrace it, and I think it's important because it's a big tournament. I'm not trying to fool myself into thinking it's something else than what it is.
Augusta is, in my opinion, the coolest place in the world when it comes to golf, so I'm just looking forward to getting to play.
Ludvig Åberg hits his first shot in this year's US Masters at 19.12 on Thursday, Swedish time.
- Scottie Scheffler, USA.
Won Masters 2022 and 2024.
- Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland.
Won US Open 2011, PGA Championship 2012 and 2014 and The Open 2014.
- Xander Schauffele, USA.
Won PGA Championship and The Open 2024.
- Collin Morikawa, USA.
Won PGA Championship 2020 and The Open 2021.
- Ludvig Åberg, Sweden.
No major titles.
- Hideki Matsuyama, Japan.
Won Masters 2021.
- Russell Henley, USA.
No major titles.
- Justin Thomas, USA.
Won PGA Championship 2017 and 2022.
- Viktor Hovland, Norway.
No major titles.
- Maverick McNealy, USA.
No major titles.
