Ahead of his third appearance in The Open, world no.20 Ludvig Åberg reflects on his form coming into the season’s final major, his expectations for the Championship and the unique challenges of links golf.
We’re heading into the final golf Major of the season, are you happy with your performance so far? What has been the defining moment of 2026 for you?
Yeah, I think so. Overall, it’s been a solid year. Obviously, as a competitor, you always want more. You want more good finishes, and you want to be in contention late on Sunday. I felt like the PGA was probably my best chance to win one so far. But the major season is quite short and intense. It started at Augusta a couple of months ago, and now it already feels like it’s almost over. Hopefully, I’ll have one more good chance this weekend, and we’ll see where that goes.
How are you feeling about your game heading into The 154th Open?
I’m looking forward to it. I feel good. Obviously, The Open is such a different test from what we normally play. I feel like the US Open and the Travelers, which we just played, were difficult golf courses, but in a different way. It’s just a different style of golf. Obviously, Royal Birkdale is a tough golf course. It’s playing very firm because the weather has been so nice. So it’s going to demand a lot of different things compared to what we’re normally used to in a regular tournament. But overall, I’m really looking forward to it, and I think it’s going to be a good week.
Royal Birkdale has hosted some unforgettable The Open Championships. What were your first impressions of the venue when you arrived this week?
Yeah, we actually got to play here last week. We came over before the Scottish and got to see the golf course. I feel like an Open golf course is so different depending on the wind. It all depends on the direction it’s blowing from and how much that changes the course. Last week we played it in a west wind, and today we’re playing it in an east wind, so it definitely 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 tough. The greens are, for a links course, normally quite flat and quite large. But because of the heat, the good weather, the lack of rain, and the lack of moisture, it is pretty dry.
What kind of challenges do you expect this week at Royal Birkdale?
I think the biggest challenge is definitely staying out of the pot bunkers. Those are normally not good. With the fairways being so firm, you’re getting a lot of rollout off the tee. So managing your way around those bunkers will be key. A 5-iron downwind can go a long way, while a 5-iron into the wind can go pretty short. So I think it’s about working your way around the course, playing good golf, but also playing smart golf. I think that’s going to be very important.
What do you enjoy most about playing links golf, and how does it test your game?
Obviously, when I think about links golf, creativity is the first thing that comes to mind. Especially when it’s this firm, so much depends on how you shape the ball, how it comes in, and what kind of bounce it’s going to get. It’s a different type of test than what we normally play, but it’s just as fun. I also think your acceptance level has to be a lot higher than during a normal week. Because of the wind and all the external factors, there’s so much 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 is going to be really important.
What would make this a successful week for you? Have you ever imagined lifting the Claret Jug?
Yeah, winning the Claret Jug would be a massive achievement. I think that’s what we’re all trying to do. The Open is such a special tournament. I personally love the history of the game, and there’s no better place to experience that than at The Open Championship. So I feel very privileged to be a part of this tournament, and hopefully we can get our hands on the trophy.
What do you feel is the final step between you and your first Major win?
I think putting myself in those positions is going to be very important. I take pride in consistency. I take pride in repeatedly giving myself chances to win tournaments, and I think that’s what I try to do. Obviously, a major championship is going to test every aspect of your game. There are always parts that you want to improve on, and these are the hardest tournaments to play and also the hardest ones to win. So having more chances 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 debut two years ago?
I remember Troon a couple of years ago was definitely a cool experience. It was my first time playing, and I feel like I have a little bit more experience under my belt now. I think I feel a little bit more comfortable when it comes to these golf courses and kind of know what to expect for myself and how to prepare. I think that’s going to be the biggest thing going into this week: how I prepare, how I get ready for Thursday, and making sure I use these next couple of days, Monday through Wednesday, in a good way to make sure I’m ready to go on Thursday.
Many people see you among the favourites at these big events. Has that changed your approach to Major tournaments?
Possibly. I think I’m always going to have a lot of expectations on myself. I think personal expectations are good because I demand a lot from myself and from how I perform. Having those experiences over the last couple of years that I didn’t have before has definitely changed the way I view these tournaments. It’s changed the way I see them and how I try to approach them because I feel like I know now that if I play good golf, I’m going to have a chance to win. Before, I didn’t really know that because I hadn’t experienced it. But now, a couple of years later, with a little bit more experience, I feel like I understand that better.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned on tour?
If I think back to when I turned pro, I’m a very different player now than I was back then. I see golf courses a little differently, and I see strategy a little differently. I think the biggest thing is how I approach my practice and my training. When I was in college, I was practicing a lot, but not with as much intent and as much purpose as I do now. Here, it’s very different. You have to be on, and you have to be ready. I think I’ve learned more about what works for me and what doesn’t work for me, just by trying, failing, and then trying again. But yeah, I’m a different player now than I was a couple of years ago, and I’d like to think I’m a better one too.
Is there a particular tradition or moment during The Open that you especially enjoy?
Walking up 18 is the coolest thing in the world because they have grandstands on both sides, and normally the walk is quite long. It’s really cool. I think the spectators over here in the UK appreciate good golf, and they know good golf. So hitting good shots in front of those crowds on 18, and then walking up to 18, is very, very special.
What does a perfect day away from the golf course look like for you?
I love watching any kind of sport. I love football, and I watch a lot of it. I’ve just been watching tennis over the last couple of weeks at Wimbledon. If you catch me on a Sunday or a Saturday when I’m not playing golf, you’re probably going to find me watching sport on TV.
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