Ludvig Aberg has been making waves in the golf world recently, and even Rory McIlroy can’t help but take notice. Aberg, a 23-year-old Swede, has impressed everyone with his play, both off the tee and with his control of his shorter clubs. McIlroy, who had never seen Aberg play up close before, greeted him with a wide grin at a recent practice round. McIlroy’s high expectations were exceeded by Aberg’s performance.
Aberg’s rise to success is no small feat. He is set to become the first player ever to play in a Ryder Cup without even competing in a major championship. Aberg had a successful amateur career, earning top honors in college golf and sweeping the player-of-the-year honors. Now, just a few months into his professional career, he has been selected as one of Captain Luke Donald’s picks for the European Ryder Cup team. Donald has predicted that Aberg will play in the next eight Ryder Cups and describes him as a “generational talent.”
Aberg’s journey in golf began in his hometown of Eslov, Sweden, where he initially gravitated towards soccer. It wasn’t until his dad started bribing him with ice cream that he started spending more time on the golf course. Aberg attended a prestigious boarding school for elite athletes and honed his skills there. His instructor, Hans Larsson, describes Aberg as an easy guy to have around, always bringing joy and laughter. Larsson noticed Aberg’s easy movement with his swing and his calm temperament.
Aberg’s talent didn’t go unnoticed in high school either. He won several tournaments and caught the attention of Texas Tech University’s head coach, Greg Sands. Sands immediately recognized that Aberg was a special talent and nicknamed him “Ken” because he could do no wrong. Aberg had a successful college career, winning multiple titles and standing out among his competitors.
Since turning pro, Aberg’s star has continued to rise. He earned his PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University program and played in several tournaments, making the cut in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Aberg’s performance caught the attention of European Ryder Cup Vice Captain Edoardo Molinari, who urged Captain Luke Donald to keep an eye on him. Aberg continued to impress Donald, particularly during the D+D Real Czech Masters and Omega European Masters, where he tied for fourth and won, respectively.
Aberg’s success has been a result of his hard work and dedication to the sport. He has remained unfazed by the pressure and has performed exceptionally well under scrutiny. Now, he finds himself teeing it up with the best in the world at the Ryder Cup.
Aberg’s rapid rise to the top highlights his immense talent and potential. He has already achieved so much in such a short period, and it will be exciting to see how his career unfolds in the future. With his skill and determination, Aberg is well on his way to becoming a major force in the world of golf.