Ludvig Aberg

After a year of firsts, Ludvig Aberg is seeking a maiden major victory at his debut Open and etch his name into the record books.

The 24-year-old Swede has climbed more than 3,000 ranking places since the end of 2022 and heads to Royal Troon as the world’s fourth best player, despite having made just three major starts.

But, in the Ryder Cup and in his second-place finish on his first start at the Masters earlier this year, Aberg has shown that experience is no match for talent.

The omens are in his favour too. The last time Troon played host to golf’s original Championship, countryman Henrik Stenson edged out Phil Mickelson in one of The Open’s most famous head-to-head battles.

It’s no wonder then that one of golf’s newest superstars arrived in Scotland with a spring in his step.

“I've said a few times before that day should be a national holiday in Sweden,” said Aberg, recalling Stenson’s historic victory.

“It was a very cool day. I vividly remember watching that with my friends, and it's cool to see what he's done for Swedish golf.

“The Open is the major 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.

“So I do feel that connection to The Open and to the UK. I love being here. I love playing these tournaments, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The 100 or so mile trip from the east to the west coast of Scotland could have been a painful one for Aberg following his near miss in the Genesis Scottish Open.

He held a two-shot lead heading into the final round at The Renaissance Club but finished tied-fourth after closing with a three-over-par 73 as Robert MacIntyre surged to victory on home soil and believes the experience will count him in good stead.

MacIntyre surged to victory on home soil and believes the experience will count him in good stead.

“I've learned that I like being in that situation,” he said. “I think that's the main thing. I try not to shy away from it.

“In football you talk a lot about wanting the ball, and that's what I try to tell myself, and that's what I want to do.

“I enjoy the pressure. That's why you play and practice all these hours. To be in that situation is just cool.”

The point of focus for Aberg this week is his swing. A tendency he acquired from his days as a junior golfer means the club can sometimes get stuck behind his body, causing his hands to flip if his timing isn’t bang on.

While it can be tricky finding the time to tweak such a complex issue, Aberg is going by the old adage of 'little and often.'

“It's tricky. Me and my coach, we use the term of brushing your teeth,” he explained.

“You do it every day, and you try to work on it a little bit, a little bit, a little bit so you don't get too far off on one side or the other.

“Monday through Wednesday we've got a little bit more time, and obviously during the tournament days, you do that as well.

“It's not like I'm reinventing the swing or anything like that. It's the same tendencies I've had for a long time. You just need a little bit of a push in the right direction, and that's the case.”

What is perhaps even harder for someone who has risen through the ranks as quickly as Aberg is taking stock of what he has achieved in such a short space of time.

That he visited Troon to squeeze in a practice round last Monday shows he is in no mood to rest on his laurels as he seeks to become just the sixth player since World War II to secure the Claret Jug on debut.

“I think I will reflect in a little bit. Right now you're just so into it going from tournament to tournament and trying to play as well as you can,” he added.

“It's been a lot of fun these last 12 months, 13 months. Very fortunate to have had a lot of those experiences.

“Ultimately, I'm just trying to play good golf and trying to have fun with me and my team and my coaches and what not. It's cool. Hopefully we'll have many, many more years to come.

“I think it's going to be a cool week as it’s my first Open, so I'm trying to soak it all in Monday through Wednesday, then come Thursday be as ready as I can to play good golf.”