Aberg aiming to match his 'high expectations' amid Ryder Cup spotlight

Aberg aiming to match his ‘high expectations’ amid Ryder Cup spotlight

Irish Golfer

23rd August 2023

Ludvig Aberg says his focus is on meeting his own “high expectations” amid heightened attention around his performances as he shares some of the Ryder Cup spotlight at the D+D REAL Czech Masters.

The Swede, formerly the World Number One amateur golfer, has impressed on the PGA TOUR since turning professional in June, putting him on the radar of Team Europe Captain Luke Donald.

Aberg has received invitations to play this week in Prague and next week at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland – the final two events of the European Ryder Cup Qualification Process.

Having missed out on qualifying for the ongoing FedExCup Playoffs, the 23-year-old will be determined to further his case for inclusion on Donald’s 12-man team with the six Captain’s Picks to be announced on September 4.

“I’ve always had high expectations of myself,” said Aberg, who is making just his second start on the DP World Tour since leaving the amateur ranks.

“I think you should have high expectations when you’re a competitor, but it’s so easy to get lost in everything going wrong and distractions and all these things.

“So, I try to keep my people close to me and talk to them as much as I can and then solve any kind of conflicts that might show up.

“I feel like for me coming out of college, I want to play as much as I can and I’ve been very open to coming over to Europe playing as well.

“I’ve always been, obviously I love to play on both sides because I feel very at home in Europe as well.

“So ultimately that’s what I want to do and if it helps me play better and look better. That’s great.”

Earlier this year, Aberg became the first player to earn PGA TOUR membership by finishing No. 1 on the 2023 PGA TOUR University ranking.

He has since finished in a tie for fourth at last month’s John Deere Classic and is making his first visit to the Czech Republic after a three-week break since his last outing at the Wyndham Championship.

This week’s venue Albatross Golf Resort is hosting the D+D REAL Czech Masters for the ninth time, with Aberg optimistic his driving distance can play to his advantage at a course which measures almost 7,500 yards.

“It’s important to be good off the tee here, which I feel like is one of my strengths to hit my driver. I like hitting my driver as much as I can, so hopefully I’ll be able to do that this week. It’s a nice course, good setup.

“It’s pretty long at times, the back nine especially where there are a lot of par fives you have got to hit some good shots to reach in two.

“A few of the par threes are very strong as well, so tee to green it demands some shots, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Aberg will play alongside Team Europe Vice Captain Francesco Molinari and fellow Ryder Cup hopeful Nicolai Højgaard over the first two rounds.

Asked how he is feeling ahead of teeing it up, he added: “The game has been good. Obviously had a pretty busy summer, so I played a lot of golf, and it was kind of nice to get a few weeks just to get back, do some other things than golf and do some practise as well.”