Europe has a new star at the Ryder Cup in the form of Ludvig Aberg and the rookie Swede appears to have landed himself a new girlfriend. The 23-year-old was a surprise selection for Luke Donald’s European team given that he only became a professional three months ago and is yet to even appear in a major.
But the former amateur world No. 1 has followed up his first pro title victory at the European Masters by winning a point for the blue team on the opening morning of the Ryder Cup in Rome.
Aberg teamed up with Norwegian Viktor Hovland to form a Scandinavian double-act that was too hot to handle for Open Champion Brian Harman and Max Homa, with the Americans defeated 4&3.
It was a dream debut for debutant Aberg as the Europeans raced into an emphatic 4-0 lead following the morning foursomes session.
And his joy on the course now appears to have been matched by the blossoming of an embryotic relationship off it.
The European team enjoyed an evening in Rome on Wednesday with their wives and girlfriends. Little has been known about Aberg’s private life leading into the Ryder Cup but the dots were soon joined when he appeared in the eternal city flanked by British tennis hopeful Olivia Peet.
The couple were all smiles after being spotted in public as a couple for the first time. Manchester-born Peet first met Aberg whilst they were both sports students at Texas Tech University in America.
Both were part of the Texas Tech Red Raiders team, representing the education institution in their respective sports. Peet is one of 10 players who was nationally ranked in the UK. Since moving to Texas, she has reportedly won 73 singles matches and 71 doubles matches.
But her profile looks set to skyrocket after hooking up with Aberg, who has been tipped by household names like Rory McIlory and European team captain Luke Donald to become a future star at the very top of golf.
She will be cheering her Swedish boyfriend on at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club all weekend and he could hardly have got off to a better start as he looks to help the European team regain the Ryder Cup.
Like Aberg, Peet is also 23 and is likely to be attending her first Ryder Cup. Should the Europeans live up to their Friday morning promise and regain the trophy there is every chance that it won’t be her last.