Ludvig Aberg showcased his remarkable talent once again on Saturday with the young phenom finding the green with his tee shot on a par four despite his driver breaking at impact.
The 24-year-old, who starred as a wildcard pick in Europe's Ryder Cup victory over the United States in 2023, stunned the crowd at the Texas Valero Open with an equally stunning and bizarre moment at the 299-yard par-four 17th at TPC San Antonio.
The big-hitting Swede stepped up to the tee with the big stick and sent his ball on a perfect line, bounding onto the green to set up an 11-foot eagle opportunity. But his attention was not on his ball, looking up to see his club head had flown off at impact.
Aberg saw the funny side and was rightly delighted by the outcome, although his eagle putt slipped by the low side of the hole. But he gratefully walked off with a two-putt birdie as he headed to the turn - playing the back nine first - three-under-par for the day.
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Aberg made the cut by two strokes after shooting one-under across the opening two rounds, but an impressive showing on Saturday - shooting a five-under-par 67 - saw him jump up the leaderboard. He's six-under-par for the tournament.
Aberg has become one of the biggest stories in elite golf over the past 12 months, winning on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour within five months of turning professional. His remarkable rise caught the attention of Team Europe captain Luke Donald, receiving a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup.
And his captain's faith was vindicated, with the rookie delivering two points from four matches as Europe regained the trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Aberg has climbed to ninth in the Official World Golf Ranking since.
He has never played in a major championship before, but he has been tipped to contend for the green jacket in his debut at the Masters next week. “I think this is our next superstar,” two-time US Open winner Andy North told The Scotsman.
“I'm so impressed with him. I love the way he plays the game. I love the way he attacks it. Doesn't fiddle around much. Just gets up and hits it and plays golf. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does this week.
"I think Augusta National could be a great place for him. Yeah, he's a young guy and hasn't played there much, but I think that he's got a chance to have a great week."
Curtis Strange, another double US Open champion, added: "He's my dark horse. He's only 24. He's come on the scene so quickly. He dominated the college scene. He's dominated whenever he's played throughout his whole life, which is very short.
"He has a swing to envy. He has the size. Looks like the perfect physique to play this game. He's a rookie, but he certainly could play well and, if he won there, it wouldn't surprise anybody, I don't think."
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