Ludvig Aberg had never visited Canada before last week. He knows little about Canada. He does know one thing.
“Hockey. There are many Swedes here playing hockey .”
Aberg, 23, from Eslov in Sweden, will make his professional debut at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Toronto, Ontario this week, during the RBC Canadian Open. Aberg has already played on the PGA Tour twice this year and finished T-24 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. However, he made history when his college golf career ended last week at Grayhawk Golf Club, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Aberg was the first player to ever earn PGA Tour membership through PGA Tour Universityspan size=”font-weight 400 ;”>.
Aberg stated, “I am extremely fortunate to have my Tour Card. I’m going to play as much golf as possible. Play as much golf as possible, earn as many points as possible and see where it takes me .”
He will be playing alongside Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton and teeing-off at 7:44 am. On Thursday, ET in group coverage.
Aberg had the chance to become a professional last year but chose not to. He chose to wait and returned to Texas Tech to complete his senior year. It was worth it.
Aberg stated that he didn’t know how the PGA Tour University would develop. “Now that I look back, I made the right decision. To be honest, at the time I did not think I was very good. It was still a few areas that I wanted improve and develop. I feel that I have done this. I feel very fortunate to be at this point in my career.
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And get better Aberg did. He was named the Haskins Award for the male collegiate player of year. He was the first golfer to win consecutive conference titles in the Big 12 Conference. Then he won the NCAA Norman Regional, before finishing T-29 at NCAAs. He has won four times in the spring and is well-prepared for the second half of the Tour Season.
Aberg stated that the last two weeks have been intense, but it is something I have been preparing for a very long time. Now it’s happening. So, I’m very happy. As a competitor you look forward to those big events .”
Aberg’s decision to remain in school opened the door for him to participate in these big events from the very beginning. Aberg believes the program will help the college game.
Aberg stated that he was “just fortunate” to be the first person to use it. However, he believes it will get better. “I believe more guys will be able take advantage of this.” I think college golf will be better. I think that the incentives to finish school and get a degree, as well as the many opportunities you can then take advantage of will encourage people to do so. Two or three years ago, if someone had told me that I’d have status straight out of college I would be overjoyed .”
Last week, another talented college star made a professional debut. Rose Zhang, the NCAA women’s individual champion and ANNIKA Award winner for the second consecutive season, won Mizuho Americas Open after a play-off.
Aberg admired Zhang’s success, and he hopes to be able find his own as quickly.
Aberg stated that Rose is incredible. She’s an incredible player, unbelievable human being and what she has done is pretty impressive. “If I can do anything along these lines, I feel I’m doing quite well .”
