Ludvig Åberg Ahead of the Open: Travel Chaos, Pot Bunkers, and the Claret Jug

Ludvig Åberg has proven time and again in his young professional career that he can handle adversity. His journey to this year’s Open Championship impressively demonstrated that he can do the same off the golf course as well.

After the Travelers Championship in Hartford, the Swede initially flew back to his home country—but his luggage took a detour. Åberg waited three days for his bags. When they finally arrived, his relief was short-lived. “When I took out my clubs, my Driver was broken in two,” Åberg explained in an interview on the practice range at Royal Birkdale. “My Foresight device, the GC Quad that I use—that was broken, too.” His Launch-Monitor, which he uses to track swing data and ball flight, was now unusable. Åberg responded with dry humor: When the interviewer joked that his numbers probably weren’t quite right, the 25-year-old pointedly raised his finger in the air—as if checking the wind.

Find the 2026 Open Championship tee times here.

New equipment, a fresh start. Anyone who thought the travel mishaps would cloud Åberg’s focus is underestimating him. He had played the 2025–26 season with impressive consistency up to that point: five top-5 finishes, including a tie for third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, fifth place at THE PLAYERS Championship, and most recently, fourth place at the PGA Championship. The Genesis Scottish Open didn’t go as hoped—he missed the cut—but Åberg himself took the week in stride.

Firm, fast, wind-dependent: Royal Birkdale as another test

The Swede is not lacking in confidence ahead of his third Open Championship. “These experiences over the past few years have changed how I view these tournaments,” says Åberg. “I know now that if I play good golf, I have a chance to win.”

Royal Birkdale is unusually dry this year. A heat wave has parched the course; the Fairways are hard, the greens firm. “It’s a tough course, and it plays very firm,” says Åberg. “How it plays depends entirely on the wind—which direction it’s coming from and how much that changes the course.” Those who avoid the pot bunkers along the fairway edges have a good chance—those who end up in them quickly lose strokes. “The biggest challenge is definitely staying out of the pot bunkers,” says Åberg. Golf at Links courses requires not only technical precision but also a different mindset: “Your acceptance has to be much higher than in a normal week. You can only make a good swing and see what happens.”

It’s well known that Åberg thrives on this style of golf. Even before his official start, he had taken a close look at Royal Birkdale. “It’s a cool place,” he said in a short interview clip released by the R&A during the week leading up to the tournament—in which he also mentioned, in passing, his broken Driver.

Find out here how much prize money is up for grabs at the 2026 Open Championship.

Six Days, Six Looks: adidas Embraces Classic Links Aesthetics

For professionals at this level, preparing for a major also involves their appearance. Sponsors, equipment providers, and players coordinate their looks down to the last detail—what Åberg wears on any given day is no longer a matter of chance.

adidas Golf, Åberg’s apparel supplier, has designed a look for the entire tournament week that deliberately captures the atmosphere of Royal Birkdale: a clean color palette of navy blue, white, and khaki—timeless, British, and understatedly elegant. For practice days, Åberg wears a plain white polo shirt or a finely striped navy polo shirt, paired with dark blue or beige trousers. During the tournament itself, the style is consistently carried through: On Thursday, he wears a navy-and-white striped V-neck sweater vest; on Friday, a light-striped polo shirt with navy accents; and on Saturday, a plain, dark blue polo shirt.

Sunday—traditionally the most important day in golf—deviates subtly from the pattern: a patterned polo shirt with a floral print in dark gray and teal, paired with a bold blue polo collar underneath and white trousers. A modern touch that still fits in with the overall look.

The Dream of the Claret Jug

Åberg is competing in his third Open at Royal Birkdale. After finishing 23rd at Royal Portrush last year, he’s hoping for a better result this time around. He makes it clear just how much this tournament means to him: “The Open is a very special tournament. I love the history of this sport, and there’s no better place to experience it.”" The walk down the final hole, in particular, stays with him: “There are stands on both sides. The spectators here appreciate good golf and know a good shot when they see one. Playing good shots in front of this crowd and then walking up the 18th—that’s something very special.”

Broken clubs, lost bags, a missed cut—the Swede doesn’t let setbacks like these throw him off. Anyone who’s watched Åberg this season knows: He’s ready.