Ludvig Åberg playing Augusta like a seasoned veteran

The young Swede says the famous course 'demands discipline' and 'patience'.

Ludvig Åberg waves after making a putt on the 17th hole. Picture: Ashley Landis/AP Photo

The patrons were packed thick around a cluster of marquee groupings playing one after another on Friday morning. In the very middle of the lineup were two men who couldn’t be more different in many ways and yet so very much alike in others.

Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Åberg are separated by 10 years on the time line and at least six inches vertically. But on the big stage at Augusta National, the world No. 2 and No. 5 are almost indistinguishable talent-wise, each possessing natural skills that are the absolute envy of their peers.