Åberg’s Ryder Cup luck: “A dream come true”

He himself can hardly believe that he is there, on the Marco Simone course just outside Rome, a few days before the sport’s most prestigious competition – where Europe meets the USA – is to start.

— If someone had told me this a few months ago, I wouldn’t have believed them. But it’s really cool to be here. It’s a dream come true and I’m looking forward to some great days, says Åberg at a press conference.

Then, a few months ago, he was still in college in the United States. Since then, Åberg has had a meteoric career. He has impressed on the PGA Tour, won on the European Tour and now he will play the Ryder Cup. Never before has a player who hasn’t played a major participated.

— It’s been really cool for me to be in that team environment, it’s a little different from how it was in college. The level of golf is higher. But it’s still pretty similar, the basics are the same. I try to have fun. Everyone has treated me very well and I feel very welcome.

The captain’s giant salute

As Åberg had no opportunity to qualify directly, he had to rely on a wild card from captain Luke Donald. And there is no doubt that he impressed the Englishman.

— When you play with certain players, you notice that they have a special talent. The way they hit the ball and the way it flies is different. He is the greatest talent of his generation. He is a very, very strong player and I look forward to seeing him in the Ryder Cup, says Donald.

Donald will try to lead Europe to revenge after being thoroughly beaten by the Americans last time it went two years ago in Wisconsin. This time they have home ground. On European soil, the USA has not won since 1993.

Dreaming of Medinah

However, it is an away victory that inspires Ludvig Åberg. The 2012 Ryder Cup – better known as the “Miracle at Medinah” – where Europe turned a seemingly impossible deficit into a win, is close to the Swede’s heart.

— 2012 stands out. I’ve gotten to know Peter (Hanson) and Nicolas (Colsaerts) quite well and they’ve told me some stories about that day at Medinah. Realizing how much it means to them and the whole European team has been cool. Hopefully we can do something similar this week and can inspire others after us. It’s a really cool environment to be in and we’re trying to write our own chapter.

Åberg does not have any particular plan to create his own miracle.

— In the end, we’re all just trying to win points. We don’t really know what it will look like. Especially not me. I’ll try to play my game, trust that it’s good enough and see how far it takes me.