At the final event of the FedEx Cup fall, journeymen and young players compete for playing privileges on the PGA Tour and a secure job. One player whose status will remain unaffected no matter how he plays in the RSM Classic this week is reigning champion Ludvig Åberg, who will be competing for the first time since the Tour Championship.
After undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus the week after the postseason finale, the Swede is looking to pave his way back into contention at the spot where he last entered the winner's circle. Åberg, who tied the PGA Tour scoring record of 29 under for the tournament last year, confirmed he is ready to try again this week at Sea Island despite taking some time away from the game.
“I feel 100%, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” said Åberg. “I had about four weeks off from playing golf; I didn't touch a golf club. I started hitting short shots and wedges first, and then I put a little more weight on it and put more pressure on it. Now I’m in. “Actually, I’m a little stronger now than I was before, so that’s good.”
Although Åberg's surgery did not occur until September 5, he first felt pain midway through the PGA Tour season. The 25-year-old withdrew from the Wells Fargo Championship as a precaution and returned the following week at the PGA Championship with a brace around his left knee that limited his ability to properly bend to read putts.
Åberg's knee injury and resulting poor play was one of the reasons he had to pack his bags early in Valhalla. However, he ultimately found his way over the summer, holding the 36-hole lead at the US Open and the 54-hole lead at the Scottish Open. His best result came in the playoffs, where he finished second behind Keegan Bradley at the BMW Championship.
“I had a feeling at the beginning of the year that it must have been somewhere in April or May, so it started to sink in a little bit,” Åberg said. “I didn’t really know what it was. We had it checked out and then I was still fine, so it didn't hinder my training or playing. So then, after consulting with a couple of doctors, I… “I knew I was going to need surgery at some point, but I also felt like I could last the entire season, obviously until the playoffs, and was after the playoffs a good time to deal with it and bring it to an end.”
Åberg arrived at the RSM Classic last year at the end of a tumultuous 2023 that saw him go from college golf to the Ryder Cup in just three months. He enjoyed his rookie year with victories on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, opened his 2024 schedule and played in golf's biggest events without ever taking a breath.
“It was nice to have a little break,” said Åberg. “It was probably the first break I've had from golf since my senior year, so it was nice to reflect a little bit, sit down and not have to play a tournament at some point. The last couple.” I’ve been itching to get out of here for weeks. It feels like it took a long time.
