EXCLUSIVE: Why Matt Fitzpatrick is taking a different approach with Ludvig Aberg
Matthew Fitzpatrick says he won't be 'piling the praise' on Ludvig Aberg ahead of the Ryder Cup. He told GolfMagic why in an exclusive interview.
Matthew Fitzpatrick says it's unfair to keep singing the praises of Ludvig Aberg ahead of the Ryder Cup as he thinks it will add unnecessary pressure to the young Swede.
Aberg was selected as one of Luke Donald's six wildcard picks on 4 September.
The 23-year-old has never played in a major championship before and only turned professional four months before Donald came calling.
He made his way to the PGA Tour by finishing atop the college rankings after making a name for himself at Texas Tech.
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There is absolutely no doubt Aberg is a rising star and he produced something of a statement performance when he claimed the European Masters in Switzerland just days before his captain's pick was confirmed.
All 12 of Europe's Ryder Cup side competed at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Aberg spent three days upstaging his teammates but blew a two-stroke lead heading into the final round after suffering a disastrous start in Virginia Water.
After three rounds in the 60s, Aberg posted a closing 4-over 76 and slumped to a T-10 finish.
Fitzpatrick, who finished 18th, is aware of Aberg's quality but won't be 'piling on the praise' as others have done.
Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland all pointed out what makes Aberg so special last week.
McIlroy, in particular, was the most vocal about why he was so excited with the prospect of the 'generational talent' teeing it up in Rome.
He was always on Aberg's bandwagon, the Northern Irishman said. 'Now I'm at the front,' McIlroy explained after their recent excursion to Italy.
Fitzpatrick told GolfMagic:
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, will be making his home debut in the Ryder Cup next week.
He was part of Darren Clarke's European side that lost 17-11 at Hazeltine in 2016 and was also part of Padraig Harrington's team that were brushed aside in Whistling Straits two years ago.
The English golfer will be hoping to improve upon his 0-5-0 record.
Matthew Fitzpatrick was speaking to GolfMagic about his addition of a playable character in PGA Tour 2K23.
Read more:
- Luke Donald may be forced to bench Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm at Ryder Cup
- Sir Nick Faldo hits out at LIV Golf player returns in European Ryder Cup team
- Report: Sergio Garcia made 'bizarre' last-ditch attempt to play in the Ryder Cup
- Golf coach to the stars rages at 'horrendous' Ryder Cup venue: "It's too hilly!"
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