There’s a 11 year age difference between the two, yet Ludvig Aberg (24) and Eric Cole (35) have been the two most notable “rookies” on the PGA Tour in 2023. And now, in contending for the title at the tour’s final tournament of the year, they each have a chance to grab their first win and likely claim the honor of rookie of the year in the process.
Aberg holds a one-shot lead at 21 under par after shooting a nine-under 61 on the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club on Saturday. Less than six months removed from finishing as the college player of the year at Texas Tech, the native of Sweden has experienced a remarkable start to his pro career that has included a win on the DP World Tour and a spot on the victorious European Ryder Cup team along with a runner-up at the Sanderson Farms and three top-10s in 10 starts.
Cole, who shot a match 61 on Saturday in Georgia, has had an impressively consistent season since earing his PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022. He’s played in 36 events with two runner-up finishes and six top-10s and 14 top-25s.
Sunday will be more than a two-player shootout. Mackenzie Hughes sits two back of Aberg after a Saturday round that saw him miss a putt for 59. He’s been a winner before at the RSM, hinting he might be the chaser to follow most closely.
Tyler Duncan sits in fourth, three back of Aberg while Sam Ryder is in fifth place, five back.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
