Ludvig Aberg looks poised to win his first major championship at The Open

Ludvig Aberg has never played in an Open Championship, but he’s quickly established himself as a top contender to win at Royal Troon Golf Club in his tournament debut. 

Aberg has aced every test in his first full-time season on the PGA Tour. The 24-year-old has recorded 10 top-25 finishes and six top-10s in 14 starts this season. His only missed cut came at the PGA Championship when he was fighting through a knee injury while wearing an uncomfortable brace. 

It’s hard to find a weakness in Aberg’s game, as he’s gaining strokes in all four major categories on the season. He ranks third on the PGA Tour this season in total driving, ninth in strokes gained on approach, 14th in scrambling and 12th in scoring average. The ball-striking wizard has gained strokes from off the tee and on approach in eight straight starts.

The most impressive part of Aberg’s 2024 season was his runner-up finish at the Masters in his first career start at Augusta National Golf Club. Augusta National is notorious for being tough on newbies due to its intricate layout and rolling slopes, but Aberg isn’t your typical newbie. 

There was only one test left for Aberg to pass. Does his game translate to Scottish links courses? After two rounds of the Genesis Scottish Open, that answer is an emphatic yes.

Aberg currently leads the tournament by one stroke at 12 under par. He’s been brilliant in all aspects of the game at The Renaissance Club, ranking second in the field in strokes gained from tee to green and sixth in putts per green in regulation. He’s hit 18-of-26 fairways and 31-of-36 greens through two rounds.

Aberg has made only two bogeys through 36 holes, and one of them came after his approach shot hit a ball sitting on the green and ricocheted off the putting surface. He would be 13 or 14 under if not for that unlucky break.

How unlucky is that?

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 11, 2024

Just look at that beautiful golf swing. Simple. Powerful. Efficient. It kind of reminds you of another sweet-swinging Swede, right? You know, the one who set the Open Championship scoring record at Royal Troon the last time this major was held here? It makes you think. 

It was Henrik Stenson’s time in 2016. It might just be Aberg’s in 2024.