Ludvig Åberg led by one stroke going into the weekend at The RSM Classic on Friday thanks to two consecutive two-putt birdies, one of which came on a par 4, and a second consecutive day without bogeys on his record.
Åberg will look to cap off a brief year with triumphs on both sides of the Atlantic in the PGA TOUR’s last event. Luke Donald chose to include him on Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup squad in Rome after he had already won the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
Not bad for a Swede who turned pro only in June, twenty-four years of age. Not unexpected, either.
“I am aware of my weaknesses and my talents. Additionally, it’s probably not something I could do this soon. It has been a lot of fun. I still have to pinch myself every morning to believe that I get to do this for a living, but it’s awesome and I have a lot of years ahead of me.” declared Åberg, who placed first in the PGA TOUR University standings after graduating from Texas Tech University last spring and earning a card on the professional circuit.
He currently has 36 holes remaining on the wind-whipped Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club, and other players are directly behind him, all of whom are under different degrees of pressure.
Playing on Friday at the host Seaside Course, Åberg was one shot ahead of Eric Cole (66 at Seaside), Denny McCarthy (65 at Seaside), and Sam Ryder (67 at Plantation) with an 11-under 131 score.
Among the 2 behind was Matt Kuchar, who shot a 4-under 68 on the Plantation Course.
A win would put Åberg in the top 60 of the FedExCup Fall standings, qualify him for the first two $20 million Signature Events at Pebble Beach and Riviera (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational), and send him to Kapalua in Maui to begin the new season. He would also be admitted to the Masters.
Even if he plans to spend the majority of his time in America, he still needs to work out a schedule as a joint member of the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour.
The PGA TOUR is returning to a calendar-year schedule, therefore this season started in September 2022 and lasts for 15 months. For a number of players, the stakes are significant because the top 125 in the FedExCup Fall will receive full-status PGA TOUR cards for the following season.
At No. 124, Andrew Novak was outside the cut line until he made 3 birdies at Plantation on the back 9. Finishing with a bogey, he made the cut on the number, giving himself a chance to secure his job for the following 36 holes at the very least.
At position 128 is Ryan Moore. Until four birdies in a five-hole run on the back nine at Seaside, he was also beyond the cut line. With one shot remaining, he made the cut with a 67 thanks to his bogey on the 18th, and now it’s in his possession.
Henrik Norlander and Ryan Palmer, who both finished outside the top 125 and missed the cut, were less lucky. Being a former champion, Palmer at least has some status on the TOUR.
4-under 138 was the cut.
Ryder may move up into the top 60 on the scoreboard with a strong performance, which would qualify him for the $20 million events in California, as well as additional FedExCup points and large payouts.
Playing the final five holes at 5 under, he shot a 3-iron to 50 feet and an eagle putt up a hill to finish at 65, putting him right back in the hunt.
That’s what got me through the autumn, actually. Trying to have a decent fall and make my way into the first few Signature Events has been my aim. It seems like it will be a wonderful way to kick off the new year.” Ryder talked about the possibility of ranking in the top 60.
It appears as though Åberg is only beginning his significant career. Beginning with a massive drive on the 394-yard fifth hole, where he cut the corner of a swamp and ended up 45 feet away on the green, he scored 3 consecutive birdies on the front 9.
He made a birdie on the seventh par-5 hole two holes later, and on the back nine, he added two more birdies from 12-foot range.
“I think I’ve been hitting the ball really well, which is nice because it can be difficult to manoeuvre in the wind. It’s good to get those momentum putts and extend the round a little bit after I made a couple par putts today. Although there are no promises, I think my prospects are good if I continue doing what I’m doing today.” Aberg said.
