Eddie Pepperell says Ludvig Aberg receiving a captains pick from Luke Donald without winning this week could be “worrying” and devalue the European qualification system.
Sweden’s Aberg who only turned professional in June after earning a PGA TOUR card via PGA TOUR University, has been widely tipped as a potential wildcard pick and he would be a wildcard in every sense of the word.
The 23-year-old finished 4th in the Czech Masters last week and 4th in the John Deere Classic on the PGA TOUR. Aberg is 58th on the World Points List and has only competed in three tournaments on European soil as a pro, including when he missed the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open.
The Swede played the opening two rounds of the Omega Masters in Switzerland alongside vice captains Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts while Donald scouted him up close and personal in Detroit and was very impressed.
DP World Tour player Pepperell told Sky Sports: “I am a little bit [surprised]. I feel he needed to win or come very close to winning this week to warrant a pick.
“If he doesn’t do that and still gets a pick, I worry a little bit what that means for whoever that is at the expense of. They have spent this year playing on the tour and done well.
“It’s a tricky one, isn’t it? It’s like Jon Rahm in 2016 – would you have picked him? In hindsight, maybe, but you have to respect the qualifying system.
“I know Victor Perez is not in great form but he is still third in the Race to Dubai, Nico (Hojgaard) has done well, so it would be an interesting one. I can see both sides of the coin.
“I know Luke played with [Ludvig] in Detroit a month ago and he said it was just as good as watching Rory (McIlroy) when he first came out.”
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