Ludvig Aberg, Sam Bennett Showing Off For PGA Tour University at Rocket Mortgage Classic

Two of the top graduates from the PGA Tour’s 2023 college ranking system are proving they can compete with the world’s best.

Ludvig Aberg and Sam Bennett—the No. 1 and No. 5 ranked players on the 2023 PGA Tour University college standings—both got off to a fiery start at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. 

The pair of 23-year-old both posted rounds of seven-under 65 on Thursday and sit tied for third. 

Aberg, who played at Texas Tech University and earned a full PGA Tour membership due to his top ranking on PGA Tour University, has yet to miss a cut since he turned professional after the D-I NCAA Championship. 

On Thursday at Detroit Golf Club, Aberg even reached nine under after a chip-in eagle on the seventh hole (his 16th of the day). But he capped off his round with back-to-back bogeys to move back to seven under. 

“I will say my driver worked very well today. I hit a lot of fairways. On a golf course like this you get a lot of chances when you do that, so I was able to have a few wedges coming in, took advantage of the par-5s. 

“And then at the end I went long of 8. Not very good, pretty difficult chip. And then a little sloppy three-putt on the last. Stings a little bit to finish the way I did. I think right now it's a little bit disappointing, but when I get some perspective on it, I think I'll be pretty O.K. with that,” Aberg said. 

Aberg might be new to life on Tour, but he seems to be adjusting just fine, both on and off the golf course. The recent graduate even planned to see a concert after his Thursday round. 

“Morgan Wallen is going to be downtown in Detroit, so that will be fun,” Aberg said. 

PGA TOUR University products Ludvig Aberg and Sam Bennett made a splash in the opening round of the @RocketClassic, both firing rounds of 7-under par. 
 
The 23-year-olds currently sit T2. pic.twitter.com/Sty8XnEFv2

— PGA TOUR University (@PGATOURU) June 29, 2023

Bennett does not hold PGA Tour membership just yet, but his 2022 U.S. Amateur victory and historic performance at the Masters has earned him plenty of sponsor exemptions into PGA Tour events this summer. 

The Texas A&M product also made the cut at the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. 

With seven birdies and an eagle, Bennett’s Thursday round put him in a tie for third with a slew of experienced players. In addition to Aberg, Sam Ryder, Aaron Rai, Dylan Wu, Justin Suh and Adam Schenk all carded 65s. 

“Yeah, it was a good start. I mean, last week I played solid, it was a putting contest and unfortunately I didn't make any putts. So is this week kind of, too. A short course, it's soft, so a lot of wedges. The putter was just the difference today when I was able to finally shoot a good one,” Bennett said. 

Bennett and Aberg both sit one stroke back of the leaders, Peter Kuest and Taylor Moore, who posted 64s. 

Kuest, 25, earned a spot in the Rocket Mortgage Classic field via the Monday qualifier.