No one would have blamed Ludvig Aberg for retreating from the 2023 Sanderson Farms Championship following Europe’s victory on the 2023 Ryder Cup. His teammate, Nicolai Hojgaard, did proper about as the house workforce was once popping champagne on the 18th inexperienced at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. The Swede venerated his dedication, on the other hand, and is being rewarded midway throughout the match in Jackson, Mississippi.
Hovering across the most sensible 10 after rounds of 67-69 to face at 8 below and 4 strokes off the tempo, Aberg is in line to contend for his first PGA Tour victory this weekend. He has continued shut calls earlier than after sturdy begins on the Rocket Mortgage Classic and John Deere Classic, however the ones appear to be ages in the past for the 23-year-old.
“I knew beforehand, before we played in Rome, that I was committed to this event,” Aberg mentioned in the beginning of the week. “I wanted to honor my commitment and stay here and play. I know it’s good for me. Almost a little selfishly I knew I wanted to play. For me to get all these experiences on different golf courses, different tournaments, play as much as I can, I’d like to still think I’m young and I can handle it, but obviously really happy to be here.”
Those close to misses got here earlier than Aberg skilled a European summer time the place he reputedly became from boy to guy. Finishing throughout the most sensible 5 of the Czech Masters and claiming the European Masters, Aberg earned a captain’s choose from Luke Donald. He then went on to carry the 54-hole lead on the BMW PGA Championship, the DP World Tour’s flagship tournament, earlier than faltering on the general day. Making his Ryder Cup debut in Rome, he put in combination a 2-point efficiency along Viktor Hovland.
All the ones stories — like his this week in Jackson — will most effective serve Aberg neatly as, in spite of his fresh surge in opposition to superstardom, he unearths himself on the out of doors taking a look in.
Ranked 136th in the FedEx Cup standings, Aberg has lots on the road this FedEx Cup Fall. While he does dangle complete standing throughout the 2024 season due to his arise on the PGA Tour U, Aberg isn’t but certified for plenty of of the marquee occasions. The Players Championship will welcome the highest 125 in the FedEx Cup standings. Aberg will wish to climb inside of that crew earlier than the tip of the calendar yr if he’s to make his debut at TPC Sawgrass.
Not most effective is Sawgrass on the thoughts, however so is Augusta National. The international No. 80 has now not but earned a call for participation into the 2024 Masters. Either a victory q4 or an ascension throughout the most sensible 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings by means of the tip of the yr would satisfy the invitation standards.
Perhaps that invitation will probably be secured on Sunday as Aberg’s statistical profile thru 36 holes suggests a leap forward weekend. Ranking first in strokes won tee to inexperienced and out of doors the highest 100 in strokes won hanging, Aberg has been in a position to navigate the Country of Club of Jackson with none assist from the flat stick. If the wand surfaces, Aberg’s magical run will proceed and he will have a perfect probability to flee Mississippi along with his first win in the states.