The US Open at Shinnecock Hills, on Long Island outside New York, will be Åberg's first major since he recently changed putters. After finishing fourth in the PGA Championship a month ago, the Scandinavian golf star ditched his blade putter in favor of a "mallet putter," with a larger, more crescent-shaped clubhead.
"It was a bit frustrating at the PGA. With a little sharper putting and better chipping from the rough there, he would probably have been in contention for the victory," Hans Larsson tells TT.
Thought about it for a long time
The decision to change putters was not made overnight. Even before the 2025 season, he had considered changing and tested several different variants, but he was not convinced and continued with his blade putter.
During this season, a possible replacement has been an ace up his sleeve if the putting didn't develop as he wanted.
"The experience from the first two competitions is positive," says Larsson.
Åberg finds it is easier to keep the ball on line toward the hole, and that the ball leaves the club with better speed. Statistically, the putting has also looked good in the two competitions so far, the Charles Schwab Challenge and The Memorial.
Ironically, the long game, which was so high-class earlier in the spring, has not worked as well and has resulted in only 17th and 39th places for the Swede.
Also new for the US Open is that Ludvig Åberg has rested the week before the tournament. The 26-year-old has only done this once before a major, but that was due to injury problems at the PGA in 2024.
"It's been planned for a long time. He was really tired after The Memorial, which took a lot of energy, and we are very confident that it was the right decision."
Won by one last time
This week's US Open course, Shinnecock Hills, is, as it should be, tough. When the major was last played there eight years ago, Brooks Koepka won by one stroke; the winning score was over par overall, a result that says a lot.
"A lot of it is about not being in the wrong place around the greens," says Larsson.
Ludvig Åberg went to New York early to familiarize himself with the course, where he played his first practice round on Sunday. A week later, he hopes to play another Sunday round with a chance to contend in a major - and if so he will be using the new putter.
The old one is still at home in Florida, Åberg told Svensk Golf after Monday's practice round.
"During the two previous competitions I had it in my travel case. But now I actually leave it at home."
The course: The third major of the year will be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island.
History: The US Open has previously been played there in 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004 and 2018. On the admittedly difficult course, the best winning score has been -4 (South African Retief Goosen in 2004).
Course par/length: 70 strokes/approx. 6,800 meters.
Starting field: 156 players, of whom 19 are amateurs.
The Swedes: Ludvig Åberg and Alex Norén.
The hero of the day: Australian Adam Scott is playing his 100th straight major, the second-longest streak in golf history behind Jack Nicklaus (146).
World number one: Scottie Scheffler will become the seventh player to complete a career grand slam if he wins.
Reigning champion: JJ Spaun.
