Portugal Colonial - Aberg embraces fresh Masters test after runner-up debut

"I think having those experiences in your back pocket is really nice, but come Thursday morning it's not going to change anything," Aberg said. "You still have to go out and hit the golf shots and hit the putts and do as good as you can."

The 25-year-old from Eslov earned the biggest win of his career in February, capturing the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines.

But he has missed the cut in two starts since, calling that "probably the lowest of lows that I've had in my career so far."

"I respect and I understand that the game is going to take you there sometimes, and it's going to be up and down, and it's going to be tricky," he said, but added that an even-keeled temperament and a dedication to routine helped him even out the highs and lows.

"No matter if I win or tournament or lose a tournament or miss the cut in a tournament, I still do the same things," he said. "I still wake up and try to do the same things in terms of practice, in terms of training, and that's not going to change.

"I feel like that's how I've approached these last couple of weeks, even though things have been going a little bit up and down. I understand it's part of the game and it's going to be like that if you have a long and successful career."

Familiarity has made his return to Augusta easier -- just knowing where to park and the best place to pick up morning coffee. And he enjoys the challenges of the "really hard" course.

"I like it," he said. "It demands a lot of creativity. It demands a lot of shot shaping, and the greens are obviously the way they are. It's just a really cool place to come play golf at."

Aberg is also happy to embrace the moment on a major stage and not try to downplay the importance of the event.

"I do approach it as one of the biggest events of the year," he said. "I do think it's important to do that because I think if you don't you're almost going to hit a wall in terms of when you actually experience it.

"I had the same sort of approach last year where I just tried to embrace it. I tried to really sort of hug it, if you will. I'm not trying to be delusional."

M.Gameiro--PC