Ludvig Aberg wins European Masters to all but guarantee Ryder Cup pick
A star is born as Sweden's Ludvig Aberg surges home late to win his first Tour title at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
Sweden's Ludvig Aberg won his maiden DP World Tour title at the Omega European Masters to all but secure one of Luke Donald's six picks in the European Ryder Cup team on Monday afternoon.
England's Matt Fitzpatrick had been leading for much of the final round - and the tournament for that matter - but he was caught late as Aberg surged to the line with four birdies in a row from the 14th.
RUMOUR: Adrian Meronk will NOT receive one of Luke Donald's six picks in the European Ryder Cup team, claims @handicap_54
https://t.co/z7DkMhpth3— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) September 3, 2023
While Aberg was tapping home for birdie on 17 to move to 19-under par, Fitzpatrick was making his second consecutive bogey of the round on the 16th to fall to 17-under par.
Birdie
Birdie
Birdie
Ludvig Aberg ties the lead with Matt Fitzpatrick after the Englishman bogeys the 15th!#OEM2023 pic.twitter.com/8AlrCo0Zky— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 3, 2023
Aberg kept his composure to make par on 18 for a round of 64 and that was good enough to wrap up his first pro win by two strokes over compatriot Alexander Bjork.
Fitzpatrick needed to hole his second shot on the 18th to force a playoff but he went on to make a bogey to fall into a tie for third with Scotland's Connor Syme on 16-under par.
Former World No.1 amateur Aberg becomes the second fastest Swede to win on the DP World Tour in just six appearances.
The victory now all but secures Aberg one of Donald's six captain picks.
A breakthrough victory for Ludvig Aberg
He wins in just his SIXTH DP World Tour appearance.#OEM2023 pic.twitter.com/Y7mtnIaxDg— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 3, 2023
Aberg said:
He added:
Fitzpatrick had been looking to emulate late great Seve Ballesteros by winning the European Masters for a joint record third time.
Despite finishing in solo second, Fitzpatrick does at least play his way into the European Ryder Cup team.
Fitzpatrick just needed a T7 to make the team automatically this week.
It's a Ryder Cup debut for Bob Mac! https://t.co/tDfTOzcBsC
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) September 3, 2023
The Omega European Masters marked the final counting event for European Ryder Cup qualification.
Earlier in the day, Scotland's Bob MacIntyre also wrapped up his automatic qualification in a first European Ryder Cup team.
Donald will make his six captain's picks on Monday.
Omega European Masters Final Leaderboard
-19 L Aberg (Swe)
-17 A Bjork (Swe)
-16 C Syme (Sco), M Fitzpatrick (Eng)
-15 N Hojgaard (Den), A Fitzpatrick (Eng), J Luiten (Hol)
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