Ludvig Aberg made the transition to the professional ranks in June of last year, after spending a total of 29 weeks at the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
His transition came after two significant tournaments in 2023, which Aberg was able to compete in thanks to special invitations: the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, an event on the DP World Tour, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a signature event on the PGA Tour.
By virtue of winning the PGA Tour University Ranking in the 2022-2023 season, the Swede earned full status on the main tour until the end of the current year.
In September 2023, he claimed victory at the Omega European Masters, followed by another win at the RSM Classic in November.
As a luxurious interlude, he was part of the victorious Team Europe in Rome.
At just 24 years old, he received an invitation to his first Masters Tournament.
Ludvig Aberg, results
And he more than lived up to it.
He finished his first Major in sole second place, four shots behind Scottie Scheffler, who claimed his second Green Jacket.
The young Swede is aware of the incredible journey he’s had in just 10 months, and his statements reflect that:
“First and foremost, playing here at Augusta National is a dream come true.”
“And to find myself in this situation, nervous and under pressure, walking down the final holes, is something I’ve always dreamed of.”
“I’m very proud of myself, of everyone on my team, my family, and, in general, everyone involved.”
The final round, closed with a 69, was a great experience for Aberg, with five birdies, but also with a costly double bogey on the 11th.
“Obviously, ending up in the water wasn’t ideal, we all know that.”
“My team and I focused on just keep playing, regardless of what would happen.”
“If you think about just keep playing, your skills are bound to come through.”
“At the beginning of this week, I felt like I was playing well and that my swing was where I wanted it to be.”
Aberg has now risen to number 7 in the OWGR.
“Anyone in my position wants to win a Major and become the number one in the world, and for me it’s no different.”
And at twenty-four years old, with so much talent, anything is possible.
Like many other European youngsters, Ludvig Aberg made the leap in quality by attending university in the United States (Texas Tech University, NDR), and the PGA Tour seeks to ensure that his talent continues to shine across the ocean.
But his roots are here, in the old continent.
Luke Donald has called him a “generational player,” destined to be a stable part of Team Europe for the next seven/eight editions of the Ryder Cup.
In a moment of great weakness, such as the one currently experienced by the DP World Tour, the only way to ensure its legacy is the growth of talents like Aberg, to preserve them while awaiting the rebirth we all hope for.
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