Ludvig Aberg starts strong at 2025 Masters in quest for first major victory

That set the tone for a surgical round of golf from the Swedish native, who played collegiately at Texas Tech.

According to Masters.com, Aberg hit 83 percent greens in regulation, which measures how often a golfer reaches the putting surface in two or more strokes less than par. During the opening round, the field averaged 63 percent greens hit.

Aberg left a couple of birdies off the scoreboard with some near-misses on his putts, but he ended the round on a high note with a one-putt off a green in regulation on No. 18.

He'll need more to earn a green jacket for his first career major. But otherwise, his game looks strong after consecutive missed cuts before the 2025 Masters. Aberg was solid off the tee, hitting the fairway on 86 percent of the course's par-4s and 5s.

On holes 5-15, his average driving distance was 323 yards, nearly 30 yards above the field average (296 yards).

Aberg has rapidly climbed the WGR. He debuted less than two years ago, on July 10, 2023, and entered the top 10 on March 11, 2024, where he's remained ever since. (h/t Data Golf)

Aberg played his first Masters a year ago and finished runner-up (-7). After Thursday's opening round, he spoke with ESPN's Michael Eaves, who informed him that his 11-under par through his first five rounds at August National is the lowest in the tournament's storied history.

"I really like being here," said Aberg. "It's a different type of test that I really enjoy playing. It demands a lot of patience, which I believe is a quality I possess.

"It's probably gonna bite you in the butt at some point in your career, and so far it hadn't," he added.

If Aberg avoids being bitten for the rest of the tournament, after Sunday, he might no longer be known as the best golfer without a major. Instead, he'll be in the conversation for another title.