Colin Montgomerie compares US Open star to Rory McIlroy - 'He's that good'
Legendary former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has lauded Ludvig Aberg's whirlwind rise in the professional game as he compared the youngster to Rory McIlroy.
The Scottish veteran has been left mightily impressed with the efforts of the Swedish starlet, who already can boast wins on the PGA and DP World Tours. In addition to these feats, the 24-year-old also formed part of the victorious European team which triumphed at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.
After his heroics during his college days in the United States helped him reach the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a total of 29 weeks, he turned professional last June. In just his third star at a major in his career, he has been similarly impressive in his maiden showing at the 2024 US Open.
Demonstrating his remarkable talents at Pinehurst, the rookie hit an opening-round 66, followed by a 69 as he assumed the 36-hole lead at five-under 135. Reflecting on a sterling showing in North Carolina, Montgomerie waxed lyrical about the prodigy, saying: "To finish second at the Masters by three shots – as in he was three shots ahead of third – in his first major is special. He’s been a pro for five minutes! Amazing, really. This guy has everything.
“He seems to have a hell of a head on him too. After that double bogey at 11 at the Masters in the last round, to come off that green smiling, and ready for the most important shot of his life on the 12th hole at Augusta, and hit the green and make three? That shows something. That really shows something.
"He’s doubled the 11th, thrown away his chances of winning the event, really, and yet he came off the green tipping his hat to the crowd and smiling. I thought, ‘This guy’s got something here. This is this is different.’ It wouldn’t surprise anybody. That’s the big thing. It wouldn’t surprise a soul if he went and won this, and actually won it well."
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Ludvig Aberg of Sweden has impressed Colin Montgomerie with his performances and his showing at the US Open
Montgomerie also went as far as to compare the Swede's skill-set to that of three-time major victor McIlroy, continuing: "I was out at the Ryder Cup, and, with all respect to every one of them, there’s two guys on that Ryder Cup team that I could watch hit balls on a range all day: Rory McIlroy and Aberg. He’s that good."
Speaking in his homeland, the Scottish legend also predicted that Aberg could win his first ever major at Royal Troon at the Open in July - if he is not able to do so at Pinehurst. With the iconic event set to play out for 152nd time next month, Montgomerie said: "It’s funny. We could have two Swedes win The Open here in a row.
"If you went around the whole range and asked the 155 other competitors who would be the next rookie winner of a major, in excess of 100 players would say his name. Which is incredible."