Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg makes late charge for wild card spot on European Ryder Cup squad just THREE MONTHS after turning pro
- Ludvig Aberg comes second behind Matt Fitzpatrick at the Omega European Masters
- Europe captain Luke Donald among the 23-year-old Swede’s admirers
- The last automatic qualifying spot on the European list is held by Bob MacIntyre
One bull’s eye for Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup challenge has cemented his lead at the final qualifying event in Switzerland, but it’s the Europeans behind Matt Fitzpatrick who are garnering the biggest interest ahead of Monday’s team announcement.
In particular, all eyes are drawn to a Swedish 23-year-old who only turned pro in June, Ludvig Aberg.
The former world No. 1 amateur is currently tied for second place at the Omega European Masters with 13 under par, two behind Fitzpatrick, and his case for choice grows stronger by the hole.
It would be a tall gamble to pit him against the US, but such is the prodigious brilliance of his driving – a quality that will be enhanced later this month on the tighter fairways of Marco Simone in Rome – his list of admirers is long An.
Donald is the most notable of them, lending credence to the possibility that he is the glaring pick of six wildcards, offsetting some of the misgivings of wise old heads in the euro circuit.
Ludvig Aberg is tied for second place at the Omega European Masters entering the final round
It’s the players behind Matt Fitzpatrick who are sparking the most interest in Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup squad (pictured), ahead of Monday’s announcement
Matt Fitzpatrick leads the final qualifying event in Switzerland for the Ryder Cup at Omega European Masters
Aberg’s three consecutive birdies to complete a third round. 66 points for a talent that can drown out the noise. It can also be confidently assumed that Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka will receive wildcards, amounting to nine out of twelve.
The last automatic qualifying spot on the European list is held by Scotsman Bob MacIntyre, but he could lose it to Yannik Paul if the German makes an unlikely run from nine bottom to the top of the Swiss standings on Sunday.
Adrian Meronk, the twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Aberg, Victor Perez and Seamus Power all remain in a hunt for choices.
Scottish 16-year-old Connor Graham enjoyed a winning Walker Cup debut, helping Great Britain and Ireland take a 7.5–4.5 lead over the United States at St Andrews.
Graham teamed up with Calum Scott to win their morning fours, with Scott claiming a second point as GB&I beat the afternoon singles.