In his major debut last year, Ludvig Åberg created blue-yellow golf fever when he fought for victory and finished second at Augusta National.
Then Åberg started a bit tentatively, to gradually climb and raise the temperature ahead of the final round.
Now the 25-year-old Scanian is among the top of the Masters from the start. Thursday's opening round held top class almost all the way through, and it was a satisfied Ludvig Åberg who stood outside the clubhouse and summed up the 18 holes afterwards.
It's always fun to get off to a good start in a competition, especially here at Augusta and in the Masters. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week, which I hope will be good.
Åberg made his first birdie as early as on the third, a hole where he was actually in trouble but managed to sink a difficult chip.
Only one bogey
Immediately afterwards came the day's only bogey on the fourth after he hit the drive too short, down into the bunker.
But after that, Ludvig Åberg was extremely stable in all parts of the game. 68 strokes in the end – four under par – could have been even better if a few more putts had dropped.
Actually, I made good decisions all day, I was on the right side of the flag all the time. You have to be disciplined here and that's what we were today, he says.
It wasn't until "Amen Corner" on the 12th that things really started to happen. A birdie there was followed by two more on the par 5 holes – 13th and 15th. And then a birdie putt dropped in as a finish on the 18th.
Best finish of all
32 strokes on the last nine holes were the best in the entire starting field. A real show of strength after missing the qualifying limit in the two previous tournaments before the Masters.
It's very nice (that the putts dropped), it feels like it's been a couple of tournaments since it did, says Åberg.
The round was played in sunshine and pleasant warmth, but the wind caused a lot of problems for the players. 26 of the 95 players in the starting field managed to go under par.
It was tough, it's not a lot of wind but it's swirling around a lot, says Åberg.
He was impressed by the 65-round – seven under par – that leading Englishman Justin Rose achieved.
Ridiculously good. I haven't seen any shots, but I can imagine he's pretty pleased with that.
Ludvig Åberg shares second place with Canadian Corey Conners and American world number one Scottie Scheffler. The Swede starts his second round at Augusta National at 15.58 on Friday, Swedish time.
