Trying to predict the next superstar in golf could be compared to looking into the night sky for the brightest star on a clear night. It’s not always the easiest to determine, although some stars shine brighter than others. And when located, those selected stars shine so brightly that the others fade into the background sky.
For college golf superstars Rose Zhang and Ludvig Aberg, a key factor makes their standout paths to the LPGA and PGA Tours brighter. Both took the road to the big leagues through their university rankings, and in launching their professional careers, both Zhang and Aberg have become bright rising stars in the competitive world of professional golf.
Zhang won the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur as well as the 2022 and 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Individual Championships. In April 2023, her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur secured her title as the top women’s amateur for 142 weeks. These accomplishments qualified Zhang to compete in an LPGA Tour event as a sponsor exemption.
Equally, Ludvig Aberg, prior to becoming a professional on the PGA Tour, ranked as the top male amateur in the world for 28 weeks. As a Texas Tech University student, Aberg won the 2022 and 2023 Big 12 Men’s Golf Individual Championships, securing his PGA Tour card without following the Korn Ferry Tour pathway to professional golf, as he was the top player in the final 2023 PGA Tour University Ranking.
By comparing these two young athletes, it becomes clear to see how their exceptionally consistent growth positioned them to reach their goals. Zhang competed at the collegiate level for two years, whereas Aberg competed all four years on his college golf team.
| Rose Zhang vs. Ludvig Aberg | ||
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate Career Comparison | ||
| Zhang | Aberg | |
| Wins | 12 in 20 events | 8 in 41 events |
| Top-10 Finishes | 19 | 20 |
| Scoring Average | 69.24 | 70.43 |
Zhang won her first professional start at the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open, defeating Jennifer Kupcho on the second playoff hole at Liberty National Golf Club to earn LPGA Tour membership without entering the LPGA Qualifying Series. Shortly after, she qualified to join the U.S. Solheim Cup team by being the highest-ranked American player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings during her rookie season, and within three months, she was competing against Team Europe in Spain. Last week, Zhang won the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup with a four-day total of 24-under (264).
Aberg won his first DP World Tour title at the 2023 Omega European Masters and was chosen as a captain’s pick to play for Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup held in Italy. He recorded his first PGA Tour win at the 2023 RSM Classic, played at Sea Island Golf Club.
| Rose Zhang vs. Ludvig Aberg | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professional Career Comparison | ||
| Zhang | Aberg | |
| Wins | 2 in 20 events |
2 in 27 events |
| Top-10 Finishes | 7 | 13 |
| Scoring Average | 70.28 | 68.78 |
Leading into this week’s tournament, Zhang will attempt to defend her title at Liberty National Golf Club. Concurrently, Aberg will be making his second career start in a major championship at Valhalla Golf Club after finishing second at Augusta National Golf Club in the Masters. Both players have ascended to No. 6 in their respective world rankings. According to KPMG Performance Insights, Zhang ranks in the top 10 on the LPGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green and strokes gained approach.
| Rose Zhang vs. Ludvig Aberg | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Performance Statistics | ||
| Zhang | Aberg | |
| Driving Accuracy | 24th: 80.43% |
26th: 68.42% |
| Strokes Gained Tee to Green | 9th: +1.60 | 13th: +1.03 |
| Strokes Gained Approach | 4th: +1.50 | 17th: +0.53 |
As the week unfolds, both Zhang and Aberg will have the opportunity to showcase the best of their game while continuing to improve their standing among the finest professional golfers in the world.
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