Ludvig Åberg is one of the many rookies in the field this week for the 88th Masters Tournament.
Åberg fired off a 3-under 69 to get to 2-under for the tournament and tied seventh on the leaderboard. He had the low round of the day despite gusty wind conditions that gave the entire field fits.
The reigning RSM Classic winner recorded six birdies and three bogeys Friday.
Despite having very little course knowledge and the wind making Augusta National even harder than usual, Åberg made it appear effortless even though he felt differently.
“It was not easy, but I felt like I played pretty good,” Åberg said. “I read the greens very well and hit the putts the way I wanted to. I think to get a score in today, I felt like that’s probably what you almost have to do.”
Åberg explained his strategy when it is this challenging and how sometimes taking a safer approach is the best.
“When it’s blowing as much as this, you almost have to fight it a little bit just to keep it somewhat straight,” he said. “This is probably borderline when I’m trying to do it… Joe and I talked about it quite a lot today and tried to give ourselves chances. You would prefer to putt from 40 feet than chip from 12.”
Rookies and Augusta National don’t always get along. There have only been three to win a Green Jacket in their first start: Horton Smith in 1934, Gene Sarazen in 1935, and Fuzzy Zeller in 1979.
That’s it.
However, Åberg has a secret weapon — his caddie Joe Skovron.
“It’s helping me tremendously. I think I wouldn’t be here without him right now,” Åberg said. “All his experience and knowledge around this place have helped me a ton.”
The 24-year-old is five shots off the lead but is still in the hunt. With conditions improving this weekend, he could go low. While history is on the table, Åberg is just soaking in these moments.
“All I’m trying to do is enjoy it. It’s my first time here at Augusta National,” he said. “It’s a privilege to be here and play this event, and that’s what I’m trying to do for the rest of the week.”
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
