Ludvig Aberg. DP World Tour

He couldn’t, could he? 

Ludvig Aberg may be on the brink of another little bit of history in his fledgling professional career as a golfer as he continues to flirt with a spot on Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team.

The 23-year-old only turned pro in June this year after a stellar collegiate stint that saw him win the Ben Hogan Award back-to-back for the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2022 and 2023 before posting two top-five finishes on the DP World and PGA Tours in five starts. He currently sits T-3 in the clubhouse at the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club after a first-round 64 in the Swiss mountains on Thursday

With the US team now locked in place — with Justin Thomas’ inclusion raising a few eyebrows —  the attention now turns to Team Europe and Donald’s captain picks next week. For Donald to opt for such a wet-behind-the-ears pup like Aberg could be hailed as bold and inspired, or foolhardy and desperate, depending on how things go at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club at the end of September.

The big question is: Does Donald take the risk on the youngster, or opt for the tried-and-tested rank-and-file formula of those in the season-long standings below the six automatic qualifiers?

One man who is happy to be in such discussions is Aberg himself. 

“Obviously all those (Ryder Cup) conversations are very flattering,” he said in Switzerland, where he is playing alongside Team Europe vice-captains Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts over the opening two rounds.

“I wouldn’t expect myself to be in that position this early on, to be honest. But all I can do is try to prepare for every tournament the best I can.

“Once I’m on the golf course, I just try to have fun and hit as few shots as I can. Then it’s up to up to the captain and the vic-captains and see what they want to do.

“It would mean the world. As a young person growing up in Europe, I watched the Ryder Cup for so many years. It’s a dream come true if you were to be picked for it once in your career. So I would love it, but it’s not up to me.

“I got to play with (Luke Donald) in Detroit a couple of months ago. That was the one time that we’ve kind of gotten to know each other a little bit better.”

Ahead of his appearance in the Czech Republic last week, Aberg spoke about having lofty ambitions and he is pleased with how he has coped since leaving the amateur ranks in June.

“It’s (the transition from amateur to pro) been something that I’ve been wanting to do for such a long time, and now that I’ve taken that step, I have to pinch myself in the arm every now and then to realise how fortunate I am,” he said. “I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can and play some good golf.”

Asked whether he was surprised with his performances so far as a professional, he added: “I wouldn’t necessarily say surprised, I think that’s the wrong word. But I’ve always known my own capabilities and what I can do. So, for me, that’s what I expect from myself.

“I’m proud of the way that I’ve handled all the noise and distractions that goes around playing golf, which is a little bit different from college. But I try to embrace it, and I try to have fun with it.”