Aberg takes 1-shot lead into weekend at Pinehurst

Swedish golfer Ludvig Aberg displayed a masterclass in precision at Pinehurst No. 2, securing a 1-under 69 on Friday and taking a one-shot lead into the weekend at his U.S. Open debut. Aberg’s methodical approach, despite missing two fairways, kept him clear of significant errors on a day marked by sweltering heat that plagued many competitors.

At 5-under 135, Aberg leads Bryson DeChambeau (69), Patrick Cantlay (71), and Thomas Detry (67) as the tournament heads into the weekend. Both Tiger Woods and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler are notably absent from the leaderboard.

Pinehurst No. 2, notorious for its difficulty, was further challenged by a heat index approaching 100 degrees (38 Celsius) and a breeze just strong enough to unsettle players.

Aberg, a 24-year-old Swede, relished the challenging conditions. “It’s not an easy golf course to play,” he noted. “But I felt like we stayed very disciplined, stayed very patient, and tried to hit it to our targets all the time. We said beforehand, ‘See how many good shots we can hit today and see where that ends up.’”

Aberg’s performance places him in a strong position on a major stage. A year after graduating from Texas Tech, he is already ranked No. 6 in the world, with victories on both sides of the Atlantic, a Ryder Cup appearance, and a Masters runner-up finish.

Tony Finau, trailing by two shots after his own 69, commented on Aberg’s prowess: “It’s the first time I’ve ever played with him. The guy is like a machine from what I saw. He sure makes it look pretty easy.”

DeChambeau, focusing more on his short game than his usual power, will join Aberg in the final group. This marks the ninth time in ten major rounds that DeChambeau has been in the top 10. Despite a fluctuating performance, DeChambeau managed to end on a high note with a birdie on the 18th.

Detry, who briefly held a lead at 6 under before stumbling in the final holes, and Cantlay, who experienced a roller-coaster round, are also in contention. Cantlay reflected on the challenge of the course: “I think this golf course is going to play very challenging over the weekend. It’s inevitable there’s going to be some mistakes made, but that’s just part of playing a U.S. Open.”

The weekend promises even tougher conditions with increasing temperatures. Historically, Pinehurst No. 2 has allowed only a few players to finish under par in previous U.S. Opens. Currently, 15 players are under par going into the weekend, including Rory McIlroy and Hideki Matsuyama, who are within striking distance of the lead.

All eyes are on Aberg as he seeks to make history. If he wins, he will be the first player to capture the U.S. Open on his initial attempt since Francis Ouimet in 1913.