Mikael Lindberg is facing what could be the most exciting week of his career so far. As one of 156 players, the in-form Swede is preparing for the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia – a long-awaited major debut after 13 long years as a professional.
Majors are something you see on TV... To have the honor of being there now, it's just going to be so damn fun and it's going to be interesting to see what I can make of it, Lindberg tells TT.
Victory gives boost
The week before last he won for the first time on the DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour. The victory in Turkey not only gave him a major berth but also a big win – around 4.3 million kronor – and a huge boost to his self-confidence.
It has never been better.
I'm a bit of a rudder and it's easy to get stuck in my own head, says Lindberg.
The thought of quitting has crossed my mind a thousand times. But I still haven't wanted to give up, somehow I've perhaps had a small inner belief that in the future it will pay off if I just keep going. But there have been many tough seasons where things have gone very badly.
What help have you received?
I haven't really found a mental coach to talk to. There are so many people who have wanted to help me, but I have a bit of a hard time getting help sometimes and feel like I'd rather solve it on my own.
“Calm in the body”
Mikael Lindberg made his debut on the DP World Tour in 2023, but lost his card immediately. Last year he returned and since the end of the summer his game has reached a new level. In almost half of the competitions since August, Lindberg has finished in the top 20 and in this year's statistics on his play from the tee, the long-hitting Stockholmer is number one.
The recent victory also guarantees play on the tour for another two years.
The more I've played, the more I've realized that I'm a pretty good golfer. But it's quite a lot of pressure – having to deliver every year to not lose my job and play on a smaller tour, with worse courses and lower pay. Knowing now that I have two more years out there, of course, means a lot and gives me peace of mind.
“Was pretty cool”
So what happened with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the national team jersey?
Well, Mikael's mother Mija has worked for the Swedish Football Association for many years and during the time on the Nordic tour, where Lindberg played until 2020, he jumped in as an hourly employee during the winter months to stretch his wallet.
With the men I helped a little as a material handler, washed clothes and folded and packed. I was at a few national team gatherings at Friends, but not on any away trips. That was when Zlatan was playing – it was pretty cool. He is one of the greatest we have here in Sweden.
Now Mikael Lindberg doesn't need any extra energy anymore. He will make his major debut on Thursday.
Facts: The Swedes in the PGA Championship
+ Ludvig Åberg
World ranking: 15.
Best major: Runner-up in the 2024 US Masters.
One of the world's most in-form players right now, but still hasn't managed to win so far this year. Finished 21st in the US Masters a little over a month ago, which is his worst result in a long time. Otherwise, the placement line is 3–5–5–4–8 in recent starts. Can Åberg be in the fight for his first major title now?
+ Alex Norén
World ranking: 18.
Best major: Sixth in The Open 2017.
Played in the lead ball with world number one Scottie Scheffler in the PGA Championship a year ago. Then Norén fell through on Sunday and finished tied for 17th, while Scheffler pulled away to a dominant victory. Norén found great form later in the year, while the start of 2026 has been a bit worse.
+ Mikael Lindberg
World ranking: 137.
Best major: Making his debut.
Has finished third in China and first in Turkey in his last two events on the DP World Tour. That was enough to win the tour's "Asian Swing" and earn a place in the PGA Championship. Lindberg has the driver as his main weapon and as eighth in the "Race to Dubai" he is well placed to take one of the ten PGA Tour cards that are awarded at the end of the season.
