- Aberg picked for Ryder Cup after less than four months as a pro
- Swede one for four rookies
- Experienced hands Fleetwood and Rose selected
Ludvig Aberg has been selected to make his Ryder Cup debut for Team Europe. This remarkable achievement comes less than four months into his professional career, a testament to his rapid rise in the sport. Aberg was named as one of Luke Donald’s six captain’s picks to complete the European team.
The first six players to secure their spots on the European team were confirmed after the Omega European Masters, with Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Robert MacIntyre earning their places through the European Points List. Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, and Matt Fitzpatrick secured their spots via the World Points List. Luke Donald then unveiled his wildcard selections, introducing Aberg alongside Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Hojgaard, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, and Sepp Straka to complete Europe’s lineup.
Aberg one of four rookies
Aberg’s inclusion in the team makes him one of four rookies on Donald’s squad. The Ryder Cup will take place at Marco Simone Golf Club from September 29 to October 1, with live coverage on Sky Sports. Team Europe is determined to reclaim the trophy after their record-breaking defeat to Team USA in 2021.
Aberg’s journey to the Ryder Cup is extraordinary. He turned professional in June, following a successful amateur career. His hopes were bolstered by a stunning victory in Switzerland, where he claimed his maiden DP World Tour title with a final-round 64 at Crans-sur-Sierre. This victory not only marked his ninth event as a professional but also propelled him into the world’s top 100 rankings, securing his unexpected appearance for Team Europe.
Aberg’s transition from the amateur game to the Ryder Cup is the quickest in the event’s history, surpassing Sergio Garcia’s record in 1999. Donald has expressed his excitement about Aberg’s potential and described him as a “generational player” who could be a fixture in Ryder Cup competitions for years to come.
Fleetwood, a familiar face in European Ryder Cup teams, returns for his third consecutive appearance. He narrowly missed out on automatic qualification but previously contributed four crucial points to Europe’s 2018 victory at Le Golf National.
Lowry, despite limited recent success, secures his spot after a victory at the BMW PGA Championship in 2021 and a few top-20 finishes in major tournaments this year. Rose is also back in the European lineup after missing out on a captain’s pick in the 2021 contest.
Hojgaard, with top-five finishes in his last two DP World Tour starts, earns his maiden Ryder Cup appearance. Straka, who won the John Deere Classic and finished runner-up at The Open in July, is set for his Ryder Cup debut after an impressive season on the PGA Tour. Although Adrian Meronk won the Italian Open earlier in the season, he narrowly missed out on a spot in the team.
Team USA
Scottie Scheffler tops the Ryder Cup rankings, followed by Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman. Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Xander Schauffele secured their places as automatic qualifiers. Captain Zach Johnson completed the U.S. team with his six picks, which included Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas.
Betting Implications
The stage is set for an exciting Ryder Cup showdown, with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers.. Golf enthusiasts around the world will eagerly watch as Team Europe seeks to reclaim the coveted Ryder Cup trophy in this highly anticipated competition.
Punters now need to look at the form of players on both sides along with the previous Ryder Cup performances where applicable. Now that both teams are named, it will be easier to look at statistics, compare form and begin to make decisions about your picks.
