Without having played a major, the Swedish golf star Ludvig Åberg was one of Luke Donald's captain's choices for the Ryder Cup in Rome two years ago.
He describes the experience as overwhelming.
I went from drinking at a university bar with some guys to being in the team room with players I had seen on TV, says Åberg to The Times, ahead of this weekend's edition of the Ryder Cup in New York.
”Can perform anywhere”
Together with Viktor Hovland, Åberg formed a radar pair in Rome who first beat Max Homa and Brian Harman with 4/3, to then defeat the world number one Scottie Scheffler and the five-time major winner Brooks Koepka with the largest victory margin ever (nine up with seven holes left).
Åberg got the nickname "The Stud" and was compared to the Barbie character Ken when he seemed to be unable to do anything wrong.
I remember that before Augusta I thought that if you can perform in Rome under that pressure, then you can perform anywhere. It was a turning point that kick-started my career, he says.
”If Liverpool goes to Old Trafford”
This year's season has not met Åberg's expectations. The Swede won the major tournament The Genesis Invitational in February, but the rest of the season has been a rollercoaster.
I would have liked to be in a much better place. I know what's wrong, but when you play tournaments, you can't take four months off to practice your swing. But I almost won a major and that gives me confidence. That even when I feel like my worst, I can be among and beat the best players in the world.
The weekend's competition is played at Bethpage Black, where the golf crowd is rumored to be extra rowdy.
I know they will say nasty things, but it's part of the sport. If Liverpool goes to Old Trafford (in Manchester) they won't applaud when you score a goal. It will be tougher than in Rome, but I like it when it's tough. It's mostly fun, says Åberg.
Fredrik Montalvo/TT
Facts: Ryder Cup 2025
TT
+ Prestigious team match in golf between the USA and Europe
+ Played at Bethpage Black outside New York from Friday to Sunday.
+ The game form is match play. Initially, pair play is played - four foursome matches are followed by four best ball matches both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the competition ends with twelve singles matches.
+ USA's team: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Harris English, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Ben Griffin and Cameron Young
+ Europe's team: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Åberg, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Sepp Straka, Matt Fitzpatrick.
