Ludvig Aberg aware of LIV Golf inspiration ahead of career first

Ludvig Åberg is eagerly embracing his debut at The Open Championship, drawing inspiration from fellow Swede Henrik Stenson’s memorable 2016 victory. Åberg, 24, has quickly risen in the golfing world since turning professional just 13 months ago after a standout collegiate career at Texas Tech. Despite his short professional tenure, he’s already made his mark by playing for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup and climbing to No. 4 in the world rankings.

This weekend, Åberg will compete in The Open, the final major in which he has yet to participate. Speaking at a press conference in Troon, South Ayrshire, on Monday, Åberg reflected on Stenson’s triumphant performance in 2016 when he won The Open at Troon, finishing 20 under par, three strokes ahead of Phil Mickelson, and claiming £1,175,000 in prize money.

“I’ve said that a few times before, that day should be a national holiday in Sweden. It was a very cool day,” Åberg said about Stenson’s success. “I vividly remember watching that with my friends, and it’s cool to see what he’s done for Swedish golf, and (what) he’s doing, so, obviously, was the pinnacle of that.”

In 2024, Åberg has made 14 out of 15 cuts with seven top-10 finishes, including second-place finishes at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and the Masters in April. His only missed cut this year was at the PGA Championship in May, while he finished T12 at the U.S. Open in June.

Åberg admitted that The Open is the major he most wants to win due to Stenson’s previous success and his own strong connection to the tournament. “It is the one that’s closer to home, definitely, and it is the one that I’ve watched growing up a little bit more, a little bit closer,” he said. “So I do feel that connection to The Open and to the UK. I love being here. I love playing these tournaments, and really looking forward to it.”

Henrik Stenson, now a part of the breakaway LIV Golf organization, has made only one top-five finish in a major since his 2016 triumph at Troon – at the 2018 Masters. The 48-year-old played his only major last year at The Open in Liverpool, finishing T13, marking just the third time he made it past the cut since 2019.

Stenson will tee off at 12:42 on Thursday. Currently 39th in the LIV Golf League standings with three events left, he recently finished T27 in Andalucia, with his best performance this year being a T8 in Hong Kong.