(Pinehurst) Ludvig Aberg’s robotic game is proving perfectly suited to the Pinehurst No. 2 course. The Swedish golfer methodically worked his way to a score of 69 (-1) on Friday to take first place in the ranking by one stroke in his first participation in the United States Open.

Aberg was not perfect – he missed two tee shots on a demanding course – but he avoided big mistakes in the oppressive heat on the dunes of North Carolina which got the better of several others.

He was at 135 (-5) and led by one stroke ahead of Bryson DeChambeau (69), Patrick Cantlay (71) and Thomas Detry (67) before the last two rounds, which will take place without Tiger Woods and for which the Tournament champion of Masters Scottie Scheffler narrowly qualified.

On an already difficult course, the high temperature and wind added to the challenge. But Aberg, 24, likes these conditions.

“It’s not an easy golf course to play,” Aberg said. But I felt like we were disciplined, very patient, and constantly trying to achieve our goals. We said before the round: “Let’s see how many good shots we can make today and where that puts us.” »

A little more than a year after graduating from Texas Tech University, Aberg is already sixth in the world, has won on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, competed in the Ryder Cup and was a finalist in the Ryder Cup. Masters.

“It’s my first time playing with him. He’s like a machine from what I’ve seen, said Tony Finau, after a round of 69 that put him two shots behind the leader. I’m obviously focused on what I’m doing and my game, but he’s hit a lot of fairways and greens.

“He makes things look pretty easy.”

That wasn’t the case for Scheffler, who is coming off his fifth victory of the year last week at the Memorial. He didn’t birdie a card for the first time in nearly two years and made a double bogey on the easiest par-5 on the course. He figured he would go home with a 75.

His performance of 145 (plus-5) finally allowed him to narrowly qualify.

Woods, for his part, was unable to avoid the ax. After shooting 74 on Thursday, this time he needed 73 shots to complete his round. The three-time U.S. Open champion hasn’t been able to play under par in his last 13 rounds at majors.

“To win a golf tournament, you have to qualify [for the final two rounds],” Woods said. I can’t win the tournament from where I am, so it’s definitely frustrating.

“I thought I played well enough to be in contention. It just didn’t work. »

Woods last played in the U.S. Open in 2020 due to injuries.

DeChambeau has once again invited himself into the race for a major tournament, this time thanks to his putting rather than his power. He signed a card of 69 at the end of a roller coaster day.

DeChambeau was in the top 10 for the ninth time in 10 rounds at major tournaments.

“Overall, I was very happy with how I stayed patient, gave myself good opportunities when they counted and made a lot of important putts,” he said.

Rory McIlroy missed a putt – still scoring par – and shot a 72 to stay two shots off the lead, along with Finau and Matthieu Pavon.

Former British Open champion Francesco Molinari was at plus-7 when he showed up at the ninth pennant – a par 3 – to end his day. He made a hole-in-one to avoid the ax.

Defending PGA Championship champion Xander Schauffele opened the day with two bogeys, added a double bogey, but still shot a 68 that put him four shots off the lead.

Corey Conners was the top-ranked Canadian after the second round, four shots behind Aberg. Compatriots Taylor Pendrith and Adam Svensson will also be in the weekend’s rounds, while Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor were eliminated.

Contributed by Aaron Beard of the Associated Press