Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy were among familiar faces near the top of a crowded leaderboard as the week turned to the weekend at the U.S. Open. Just ahead of them is one of golf’s rising stars.

Ludvig Aberg built on a strong start at Pinehurst by holding steady in round two, shooting a 69. At such a tough course, that was enough to jump to sole possession of the lead.

Any major is a serious test for young golfers and experienced golfers alike, but Pinehurst has proven to be monumentally difficult even for the very best. Aberg passed the test at the Masters in April, and he’s passing his latest test with flying colors this weekend.

Here’s a closer look at Aberg’s background and his rise to an international name.

Who is Ludvig Aberg?

Aberg is a 24-year-old Swedish golfer who has authored a rapid rise since turning professional within the last year.

Aberg picked up golf at 8 years old, inspired by his father’s interest in the sport, and he came to the U.S. for his college career. While some of golf’s brightest young stars turn pro before playing out their college eligibility, Aberg stayed at the NCAA level for all four years.

Before turning pro, Aberg won the 2023 Haskins Award as the top college golfer and was ranked as the No. 1 amateur in the world. 

Aberg impressed at the Ryder Cup in 2023 and nearly earned his first PGA Tour win when he finished tied for second at the Sanderson Farms Championship later that year. He picked up his first career PGA Tour win in November at the RSM Classic, prevailing by four strokes.

The 2024 Masters served as Aberg’s first career appearance in a major. He broke through in a huge way by finishing second behind Scottie Scheffler despite the lack of experience, positioning himself as one of golf’s biggest rising stars.

Experience matters on tough courses, but between Augusta and Pinehurst, Aberg hasn’t looked intimidated one bit as he searches for his first major championship. 

Where did Ludvig Aberg go to college?

Aberg spent four years at Texas Tech from 2019-23, emerging as one of the nation’s top collegiate golfers and winning the Haskins Award after his senior season.

Jumping from collegiate golfer to Masters contender in the span of a year is a remarkable journey.

When told that no first-time Masters participant has won the event in 45 years, Aberg told reporters in April: “I can’t really do a whole lot about that.” Still, he acknowledged how hard it is to come into Augusta and win without experience. He didn’t prevail, but a second-place finish was something to be proud of.

Many young golfers would be thrown off by the prestige and spotlight that comes with a U.S. Open debut. Perhaps that moment will still come for Aberg, but the early results have exceeded what were already high expectations for one of the sport’s rising stars.

When did Ludvig Aberg turn pro?

Aberg turned professional in June 2023, just after he finished up his senior year of college at Texas Tech.

The 24-year-old earned his spot on the tour by coming in at No. 1 in the 2023 PGA Tour University rankings, and he justified his inclusion on the PGA Tour with strong showings late in 2023.

Aberg already ranks No. 6 in the Official World Golf Ranking despite turning professional less than a year ago.