04 September 2023 , 19:17
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Zach Johnson 's U.S. Ryder Cup team have been sent a strong warning ahead of their title defence against Team Europe at Marco Simone later this month.
The Americans dominated at Whistling Straits in 2021, securing a record-breaking 19-9 victory over Padraig Harrington's European side. Two years on Team USA will be looking to keep hold of the title they won so convincingly last time out, despite not winning on away soil in 30 years.
After dismantling the Europeans in Wisconsin, the Americans face a whole different challenge this time around with European skipper Luke Donald boasting four Ryder Cup rookies in his team for the Roman clash. Robert MacIntyre was the first debutant to join Europe's class of 2023 after qualifying automatically via the European Points List.
Donald then included three further rookies in his six captain's picks, as the experienced Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose were joined by Sepp Straka, Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg.
And it was the latter the travelling Americans have been told to worry about, despite his lack of experience. Aberg has enjoyed a meteoritic rise in recent months, that ended in him earning a place in Donald's team. Remarkably the Swedish starlet only decided to turn professional three months ago, but he has not looked back since.
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In that time Aberg secured five top-25 finishes in his first eight starts as a pro across both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, but it was start number nine that cemented his Ryder Cup spot. As a result, the youngster claimed his maiden win as a pro after prevailing at the Omega European Masters, just 24 hours before Donald announced his picks.
What Aberg lacks in experience, he certainly makes up for in talent. So much so he has been backed not to lose a single match during his Ryder Cup debut later this month. Fellow DP World Tour star Eddie Pepperell tweeted: "With his [Aberg's] game around that course the way it’ll be set up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go unbeaten."
Ludvig Aberg earned his first Ryder Cup call-up (Getty Images)Pepperell did call on his claim to be taken with a 'pinch of salt' though, adding: "Then again I had Rahm at 10 majors by 2025 so take my predictions with a pinch of salt!" Whether the Englishman's predictions are bold or not, there is no doubt captain Donald has full trust in the in-form Aberg.
"I really do have a lot of faith and belief in Ludvig. He is a generational player, he’s going to be around a long time and he’s going to do amazing things," Donald said after his selection. "If he wasn’t going to play this one he was going to play the next eight Ryder Cups, that’s how good I think he is.
“He proved it on Sunday, he’s a cool customer too. The statistics show he would be the number one driver this year, ahead of Rory and Scottie Scheffler. I am happy to have four rookies on the team. In 2004 I was one of five and we did just fine. These young kids are ready and fearless.”