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Is Ludvig Åberg incorruptible? The Scandinavian gem refused several approaches to LIV Golf and explained in an interview with the Swedish television channel SVT the reasons why he favored historic circuits.
Ludvis Aberg, statements
Like Viktor Hovland, his sidekick from the cold, Ludvig Åberg is not a fan of LIV Golf, the circuit financed by the Saudi Arabian Investment Fund (PIF).
Turning pro in June after finishing the PGA Tour University season in the lead, the Swede won his first tournament on the DP World Tour in Crans-sur-Sierre, which earned him the pleasant surprise of the selection European Ryder Cup by Luke Donald.
A few weeks after participating in the European triumph in Rome, the 24-year-old claimed his first victory on the PGA Tour but despite appearances he does not particularly like to skip ahead. At least not those that involve blowing up your bank account overnight.
This is why he refused a first offer from LIV in February (estimated at $25 million) while he was still playing as an amateur for his college at Texas Tech. “There were a number of signals that didn’t look good to me.
We realized that I could potentially skip steps, and I wasn’t interested in that”. Åberg said. Reacting to the departure of Jon Rahm, the 24-year-old player with his meteoric rise regrets that the Spaniard gave in to the lure of Saudi petrodollars after being so critical of the Greg Norman circuit for 18 months.
Despite everything, he wants to respect the choice of his teammate in the Ryder Cup in Italy. “We must respect everyone’s decisions. Looking back, I am very happy with my own decision. I don’t chase money, I’m a competitor.
When I look at the history of PGA Tour tournaments, that’s what I like, that’s what I’m looking for”. concludes Åberg, who admits not having been aware of the amount of the 2nd offer received this fall.
