Before his third appearance at The Open, world no.20 Ludvig Åberg shows his approach to the season finale, his expectations for the Championship and the unique challenges of links golf.
Heading into the final golf Major of the season, are you happy with your play so far? What was the defining moment of 2026 for you?
Yes, I think so. All in all, it’s been a solid year. Obviously, as a competitor, you always want more. He wants more good finishes, and he wants to be in contention late on Sunday. I felt like the PGA was probably my best chance to win one so far. But the great season is short and intense. It started at Augusta a few months ago, and now it feels like it’s over. Hopefully, I’ll get another good chance this weekend, and we’ll see where that goes.
How do you feel about your game going into The 154th Open?
I’m looking forward to it. I feel good. Obviously, the Open is a very different test to what we usually play. I feel like the US Open and the Travelers, which we just played, were tough golf courses, but in a different way. It’s just a different style of golf. Obviously, Royal Birkdale is a tough golf course. It played very well because the weather was very good. So he will be looking for a lot of different things compared to what he is used to in regular competitions. But overall, I’m looking forward to it, and I think it’s going to be a good week.
Royal Birkdale has hosted some unforgettable Open Championship tournaments. What are your first impressions of the place when you arrive this week?
Yes, we got to play here last week. We arrived before the Scottish and saw the golf course. I feel like the open golf course is very different in spirit. It all depends on where the wind is coming from and how much that changes course. Last week we played it in the west wind, and today we play it in the east wind, so it changes things a little bit. But it’s always good to see the course, and I think it’s a great golf course. It’s really hard. Greens, according to links studies, are usually flat and very large. But because of the heat, the good weather, the lack of rain, and the lack of moisture, it is very dry.
What kind of challenges are you expecting this week at Royal Birkdale?
I think the biggest challenge is staying out of the pot pots. Those are usually wrong. As the fairways are firmer, you get more off the tee. So managing your way through those bunkers will be key. A low wind 5 iron can go a long way, while a 5 iron in the wind can be very short. So I think it’s about working your way on the course, playing good golf, but also playing smart golf. I think that will be very important.
What do you enjoy most about playing links golf, and how does it improve your game?
Obviously, when I think of golf links, art is the first thing that comes to mind. Especially if it’s in this company, a lot depends on how you shape the ball, how it fits, and what kind of bounce it will get. It’s a different kind of exploration than we usually play, but it’s just as fun. I also think your acceptance rate should be much higher than the average church. Because of the wind and all the external factors, there’s a lot you can’t really control. All you can do is put a good swing on it and see what happens. Being able to deal with that, accept it, and move on will be very important.
What would make this a successful week for you? Have you ever considered raising a Claret Jug?
Yes, winning the Claret Jug would be a huge achievement. I think that’s what we’re all trying to do. The Open is a special tournament. I personally love the history of the game, and there is no better place to hear that than at The Open Championship. So I feel very happy to be a part of this tournament, and I hope we can get the trophy.
What do you think is the last step between you and your first Big win?
I think putting myself in those positions will be very important. I pride myself on consistency. I take pride in repeatedly giving myself opportunities to win tournaments, and I think that’s what I’m trying to do. Obviously, a big tournament will test all aspects of your game. There are always parts you want to improve on, and these are the hardest tournaments to play and the hardest to win. So to have more opportunities to win these tournaments, I think one of these times, it’s going to go my way, I think.
This is your third appearance at The Open. How do you feel now compared to your first two years ago?
I remember that Troon a few years ago was a great experience. It was my first time playing, and I feel like I have a lot more experience under my belt now. I think I feel more comfortable when it comes to these golf courses and kind of know what to expect and how to prepare. I think that’s going to be the biggest thing this week: how I prepare, how I get ready for Thursday, and making sure I use these next few days, Monday through Wednesday, in a good way to make sure I’m ready to go on Thursday.
Many people see you among the favorites in these big events. Has that changed the way you look at major tournaments?
It is possible. I think I will always have high expectations of myself. I think that the best I can expect from myself is because I need a lot from myself and the way I work. Having those experiences in the last few years that I didn’t have before has definitely changed the way I look at these tournaments. It has changed the way I see them and the way I try to get close to them because I feel like I know now that if I play good golf I will have a chance to win. Before, I didn’t know that because I had never experienced it. But now, after a few years, I have more experience, I feel like I understand it better.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on the trip?
When I think back to when I became a Pro, I am a much different player than I was then. I see golf classes differently, and I see strategy differently. I think the biggest thing is how I approach my work and my training. When I was in college, I exercised a lot, but not with as much purpose and purpose as I do now. Here, it is very different. You have to be open, and you have to be ready. I think I’ve learned more about what works for me and what doesn’t, just by trying, failing, and trying again. But yeah, I’m a different player now than I was a few years ago, and I’d like to think I’m a better player as well.
Is there a particular tradition or moment during The Open that you particularly enjoy?
Going up 18 is the coolest thing in the world because they have grandstands on both sides, and usually the walk is very long. It’s really cool. I think the spectators here in the UK love good golf, and they know good golf. So hitting good shots in front of those crowds at 18, and going all the way to 18, is very important.
What does a perfect day away from the golf course look like to you?
I like to watch any kind of sports. I love football, and I watch it a lot. I was just watching tennis a few weeks ago at Wimbledon. If you catch me on a Sunday or Saturday not playing golf, you’ll probably find me watching sports on TV.
