Ludvig Åberg’s major debut exceeded everyone’s expectations.
The second place not only gives an echo throughout the golf world – but also a substantial addition to the 24-year-old’s wallet.
– I am so proud of myself, says the star to Aftonbladet.
Ludvig Åberg’s last year is almost unparalleled. It was only this summer that the 24-year-old Swede chose to become a professional – and since then everything has gone very, very fast. He was included in the European team that won the Ryder Cup in impressive fashion in Rome last autumn, and on Thursday it was time for his major debut, at the fabled Augusta National.
“Im so proud”
And then Ludvig Åberg continued to show why he is perhaps golf’s biggest future name, and why he has been called by some the “next Tiger Woods”. When big star after big star shot away under difficult conditions on Friday and Saturday – Tiger Woods, for example, finished last(!) in the competition of all those who passed the qualification limit – Åberg impressed.
He started Sunday, The Masters’ final day of competition, three strokes behind reigning world number one Scottie Scheffler. And it was another almost perfect day for Åberg. The Swede was the only one who could give Scheffler a match, but the world number one kept the Swede behind him, eventually winning by four strokes, but Åberg came close to a sensational second in his Masters and major debut.
– To be in this situation and feel the nerves and the pressure during the last holes… that’s what you dream of. This is what I’ve always wanted to do and it feels pretty surreal to actually get to experience it. I am so proud of myself, my entire team and my family, says Åberg to Aftonbladet.
Parnevik’s giant tribute
Scottie Scheffler has won three of the four events he has played, and it is his second Masters victory in the last three years. He was the super favorite before the competition, but despite that, Åberg managed to give him a solid match.
– I stand up, it’s very impressive. You can’t describe in words how good this is, says Jesper Parnevik in SVT about Åberg’s performance.
And it wasn’t just an effort that bodes well for the future. Åberg’s lone second place also provides a real jingle in the coffers. In total, second place gave SEK 23.5 million in pure prize money. But Åberg was perhaps the happiest of all the support he received from home in Sweden.
– It’s super fun to hear. I’ve even heard some Swedish out here on the track from people cheering and supporting. And I have received a number of text messages during the week as well that point to the same thing. It’s obviously great fun to feel all the support from home and hopefully we can give the Swedish people more Sunday evenings like this in the future, he says.
The next major is played in just 32 days, when the PGA Championship is decided at Valhalla.
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