Ludvig Aberg Is 0-for-10 in Majors, But The U.S. Open Model Says He's a Top-3 Threat

Alright, listen up, Seattle! We've got something wild brewing for the 2026 U.S. Open, and if you thought golf was predictable, you're about to have your mind blown. The U.S. Open is teeing off Thursday, June 18, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, and an insane computer model that's already nailed 17 major wins just dropped its predictions. Forget the usual suspects for a second, because this thing is calling for a massive upset, with a player who's literally 0 for 10 in majors suddenly projected as a top-3 contender. You gotta see this.

Aberg's Shocking Rise: From Cut to Contender?

Let's talk Ludvig Aberg, because holy smokes, this is the kind of underdog story you live for. The SportsLine model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, which has already called the 2026 Masters, the fifth year in a row it's nailed that major, along with last year's PGA Championship and Open Championship, is saying Aberg, currently at +2500 odds, is going to finish in the top three. Now, before you start yelling at your screen, let's look at the facts: This guy has a grand total of zero major wins in ten attempts and even missed the cut at last year's U.S. Open. So why the hype? The model sees something we might be missing. Aberg has been absolutely red-hot this spring, snagging a top-10 finish in six of his last seven tournaments, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the PGA Championship. If this model is right, we're about to witness one of the most unexpected surges in golf history.

Schauffele's Surprising Stumble

While Aberg is projected to soar, another name, Xander Schauffele, is apparently headed for a serious fall, according to the same super-accurate model. Schauffele, one of the tournament favorites at +2000, is predicted to finish outside the top five. The model is telling us to fade him hard in our U.S. Open picks. Remember his epic two-major season back in 2024? That feels like a lifetime ago. His only win since then was the 2025 Baycurrent Classic, and let's be real, that wasn't exactly a stacked field. Even worse, he's finished T12 or worse in three of his last four tournaments. And if you're looking at his U.S. Open track record? No top-five finishes in his last five starts at this event. It seems the model isn't impressed with his recent form against this loaded field. So, as the U.S. Open kicks off on June 18, all eyes will be on Shinnecock Hills. Scottie Scheffler is the overall favorite at +550, chasing that Career Grand Slam, with Rory McIlroy (+1200) and Jon Rahm (+1300) right behind him. But for us, the real drama is going to be watching if Ludvig Aberg, the zero-major wonder, can defy the odds and prove this model isn't crazy, and if Xander Schauffele truly hits a wall. Get ready, because this is going to be wild!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.