{"id":1250490,"date":"2024-04-09T16:02:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T16:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1250490"},"modified":"2024-05-02T16:42:32","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T16:42:32","slug":"could-ludvig-aberg-be-the-masters-fourth-rookie-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/could-ludvig-aberg-be-the-masters-fourth-rookie-champion\/","title":{"rendered":"Could Ludvig \u00c5berg be the Masters\u2019 fourth rookie champion?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we approach the 88th Masters, all eyes will be on the likes of McIlroy, Rahm and Scheffler<\/a>. But a dark horse is teeing it up this week, and his name is Ludvig \u00c5berg<\/p>\n

Having turned pro in only June of last year, \u00c5berg has already taken the golfing world by storm. After recording his first professional win at the final Ryder Cup qualifying in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, the Swede earned a place in the European team as one of Luke Donald\u2019s wild card picks.<\/p>\n

During that memorable Ryder Cup \u2014 albeit not so memorable for the Americans \u2014 \u00c5berg tallied an unbeaten 2-2-0 record, including a 9&7 thrashing with fellow Scandinavian, Viktor Hovland, over Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka.<\/p>\n

\"Victor
Viktor Hovland and Ludvig \u00c5berg at the Ryder Cup in Rome, 2023 (AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just a month and a half later and only five months after turning pro, \u00c5berg claimed his first PGA Tour title at the RSM Classic in Georgia, shooting back-to-back rounds of 61 on the weekend to card the lowest winning score in the history of the competition.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to the 2024 season and Ludvig \u00c5berg is in fine form: eight cuts made from eight, with one runner-up and three top-ten finishes including the Players Championship, while also sitting 12th in overall strokes gained (1.116) and 19th in scoring average (69.42).<\/p>\n

But the big question remains, can he do it at his first major championship?<\/p>\n

In this sense, I guess it comes from the old saying \u201cExpect the unexpected\u201d. Not that it would be unexpected for him to win, but more unsuspecting. You see, all eyes will be on the big dogs who have found themselves in the limelight leading up to the 88th Masters, whereas \u00c5berg can go quietly under the radar.<\/p>\n

\"John
John Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy among Masters contenders<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rory McIlroy carries the added pressure of trying to accomplish his career grand slam, following a ten-year major drought and heartbreak on more than one occasion at Augusta National. For the patrons and those watching worldwide, McIlroy will be the subject of immense scrutiny.<\/p>\n

Scottie Scheffler is in the form of his life \u2014 and certainly not to be excluded in the running \u2014 however, as the bookie’s favourite, he will be expected to perform. Now, don\u2019t get me wrong, there\u2019s a reason he\u2019s been the world number one for a total of 81 weeks and consecutively for 47. So far in the 2024 season, Scheffler has played in eight events, winning twice and finishing outside the top ten just once \u2014 insane golf. With a Masters title already to his name, it\u2019s hard to look past him this week. But as we\u2019ve seen before, anything can happen at Augusta National.<\/p>\n

John Rahm will be looking to dismiss the LIV Tour haters as he prepares to defend his Masters title. And though the Spaniard shouldn\u2019t be written off, his form going into Augusta is not that of last year. Rahm is 16th in fairways hit (55.71%) and 17th in putting average (1.58), with only one top-three finish in five 54-hole events. If he\u2019s to don the green jacket once again, he\u2019ll need to find better consistency, and quickly.<\/p>\n

So where does this leave Ludvig \u00c5berg?<\/p>\n

There have only ever been three debutant winners at Augusta National: Horton Smith at the inaugural 1934 Masters (known then as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament), Gene Sarazen in 1935 and Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.<\/p>\n

\"Gene
Gene Sarazen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With first-time winners being so far and few between, there\u2019s no pressure sitting on the young man\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

The sensational Swede can tee it up on Thursday with nothing to lose but everything to gain, and that\u2019s quite the position to be in. \u00c5berg exudes natural talent. Having already proven a mature, winning mentality in his short professional career so far, he\u2019s sure to achieve greatness in the years to come.<\/p>\n

As he makes his way down Magnolia Lane and onto the first tee, \u00c5berg will know that he has just as much chance of winning as every other golfer on the course. And it\u2019s with this quiet confidence, that we might just see the Masters’ fourth rookie champion.<\/p>\n