SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Åberg: "It feels almost like full circle"

The return visit to Le Golf National outside Paris is a reminder of how quickly everything has gone for Ludvig Åberg. Then, in the autumn of 2022, he was a promising amateur – now he is a world star on the hunt for Olympic Games gold.

» Published: August 01 2024

Åberg: "It feels almost like full circle"
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

Ludvig Åberg brought it up himself at a press conference this week ahead of his Olympic Games debut:

It's been two years since I played here. I was still an amateur, playing for the national team and Jonnie Eriksson was the captain. He's also here now, says Åberg.

It feels almost like "full circle".

Going for the stars

Åberg was the anchor in the Swedish team that finished second in the amateur World Championship at Le Golf National.

Back then, he was very promising but far from a celebrity in Swedish sports.

Now, after a dreamlike first professional year, he's one of the players most talked about in the golf world.

And one of the favorites in the Olympic Games, where he'll play with superstars Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in Thursday's opening round.

Then (2022) we actually said that it's clear he would play in the amateur World Championship, because in two years it's the Olympic Games here and it's not impossible that he'll be there then. We joked about it, anyway, says Jonnie Eriksson.

Wanted to become even better

Could you believe it would go so fast for him?

Not that fast. But we have good statistics on how good he is in different parts of the game. We knew that if we put him on the PGA tour, he would land between 50th and 80th place. But he wanted to become even better, because when he turned pro, he wanted to be able to compete among the best.

Eriksson has worked closely with the now 24-year-old Åberg since he was 18.

It's fun that a little guy can develop so much in five-six years that he's standing here and can take an Olympic medal.

Remembers Stenson 2016

It would then be Sweden's second medal after Henrik Stenson's silver in Rio de Janeiro 2016.

Then, golf was back on the Olympic program for the first time in modern times. Åberg remembers the gold duel well.

Stenson had just won the British Open and played fantastically well. He was close to beating Justin Rose, says Åberg.

How high would you rank an Olympic medal?

Super high. Every time you represent Sweden, it gets a little more intense and a little bigger.

An Olympic medal would have been fantastic.

2023:

June: Debuts on the PGA tour. Finishes 25th in the Canadian Open.

September: Is part of Europe's Ryder Cup team that defeats the USA.

November: Takes his first win on the PGA tour, in Georgia.

2024

March: Finishes eighth in The Players Championship, often called the fifth major.

April: Finishes second in his major debut in the US Masters.

August: Makes his Olympic Games debut in Paris.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Denmark Shines in Nations League Win Over Portugal

Denmark Shines in Nations League Win Over Portugal

Mbappé Returns but France Stumbles in Nations League Quarterfinals

Mbappé Returns but France Stumbles in Nations League Quarterfinals

Oskarshamn Rallies to Overtime Victory Against Karlskoga Again

Oskarshamn Rallies to Overtime Victory Against Karlskoga Again

Luleå Triumphs 4-0 Over Växjö After Costly Penalty in Quarterfinals

Luleå Triumphs 4-0 Over Växjö After Costly Penalty in Quarterfinals

Investors Back $100M Global Women's Seven-a-Side Football Venture

Investors Back $100M Global Women's Seven-a-Side Football Venture

Visa Issues Sideline Swedish Shot Putter Axelina Johansson from World Championship

Visa Issues Sideline Swedish Shot Putter Axelina Johansson from World Championship

Putin Congratulates IOC's Coventry, Eyes Russia's Olympic Return

Putin Congratulates IOC's Coventry, Eyes Russia's Olympic Return

Tarjei Bø's Illness Threatens to End Career Without Final Race

Tarjei Bø's Illness Threatens to End Career Without Final Race

Japan Secures Spot as First Team in 2026 World Championship

Japan Secures Spot as First Team in 2026 World Championship

Paralympic Bronze Medalist Nicolina Pernheim Goodrich Faces Career Halt

Paralympic Bronze Medalist Nicolina Pernheim Goodrich Faces Career Halt

Kirsty Coventry Elected First Female IOC President, Emphasizes Communication

Kirsty Coventry Elected First Female IOC President, Emphasizes Communication

Robin Olsen Reflects on National Team Journey Ahead of World Championship

Robin Olsen Reflects on National Team Journey Ahead of World Championship

Boston Celtics Sold for Record $6.1 Billion to Investment Consortium

Boston Celtics Sold for Record $6.1 Billion to Investment Consortium

New Threats Target Damallsvenskan Players, Swedish Stars Abroad

New Threats Target Damallsvenskan Players, Swedish Stars Abroad

Sweden Clinches Playoff Spot in World Championship with Win Over China

Sweden Clinches Playoff Spot in World Championship with Win Over China

Zeneli Brothers Set for Emotional Clash as Sweden Faces Kosovo

Zeneli Brothers Set for Emotional Clash as Sweden Faces Kosovo

Lucas Bergvall Illness Puts Luxembourg Match Start in Doubt

Lucas Bergvall Illness Puts Luxembourg Match Start in Doubt

Eddie Jordan, Former F1 Team Owner, Passes Away at 76

Eddie Jordan, Former F1 Team Owner, Passes Away at 76

Leksand Restructures Team Amid Economic Challenges

Leksand Restructures Team Amid Economic Challenges

Experts Weigh In: Who Will Claim Hockey Gold in Sweden?

Experts Weigh In: Who Will Claim Hockey Gold in Sweden?

Michelle Coleman Retires from Swimming, Embraces New Beginnings

Michelle Coleman Retires from Swimming, Embraces New Beginnings

Filip Gustavsson Shines with Fifth Shutout as Minnesota Dominates Seattle

Filip Gustavsson Shines with Fifth Shutout as Minnesota Dominates Seattle

HV71 Dominates Modo with 5-0 Victory in SHL Playoffs

HV71 Dominates Modo with 5-0 Victory in SHL Playoffs

Rolfö Shines with Key Assist in Barcelona's 4-1 Victory Over Wolfsburg

Rolfö Shines with Key Assist in Barcelona's 4-1 Victory Over Wolfsburg

Alexander Isak's Future: Can Top Clubs Afford the Billion-Kronor Star?

Alexander Isak's Future: Can Top Clubs Afford the Billion-Kronor Star?

Maja Dahlqvist Shines with Second Place Finish in Tallinn Sprint

Maja Dahlqvist Shines with Second Place Finish in Tallinn Sprint

Imane Khelif Eyes Olympic Gold in LA Amid Trump's Controversial Remarks

Imane Khelif Eyes Olympic Gold in LA Amid Trump's Controversial Remarks

Alexander Isak's Historic Goal Ends Newcastle's 70-Year Title Drought

Alexander Isak's Historic Goal Ends Newcastle's 70-Year Title Drought

Sweden Misses Podium in Mogul Skiing World Championship Finals

Sweden Misses Podium in Mogul Skiing World Championship Finals

Ebba Andersson's Second Appeal Denied by Ski Federation

Ebba Andersson's Second Appeal Denied by Ski Federation

Norwegian Soccer Captain Speaks Out on Gaza Conflict Before Israel Match

Norwegian Soccer Captain Speaks Out on Gaza Conflict Before Israel Match

Chelsea Star: "Autism has benefited me"

Chelsea Star: "Autism has benefited me"

After the Success: Former U20 Captain Called Up

After the Success: Former U20 Captain Called Up

Came out in 2021 – still receiving death threats

Came out in 2021 – still receiving death threats

Manchester United plays rivalry match – in Stockholm

Manchester United plays rivalry match – in Stockholm

Åberg eliminated from Tiger Woods' league – fell in semi-finals

Åberg eliminated from Tiger Woods' league – fell in semi-finals

Billionaire supports cross-country skiing stars with "million amount"

Billionaire supports cross-country skiing stars with "million amount"

Östersund on the Brink of Withdrawal – Needs Million Amount

Östersund on the Brink of Withdrawal – Needs Million Amount

The Farewell of the Football Podcast Becomes a Documentary Series

The Farewell of the Football Podcast Becomes a Documentary Series

The Swede behind the dream period: "Shows great character"

The Swede behind the dream period: "Shows great character"