McIlroy hails 'incredible' Aberg as Ryder Cup looms / Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI - AFP/File
-
Polish riot police deployed as deposed court chief sets off crisis
-
Sun Goddess wins at Breeders' Cup, O'Brien leads Baffert
-
Young Canadians focus on mental health at key climate trial
-
Nations agree push to get nature goals on track
-
'Breath of fresh air' truce brings hope to Ukraine's ravaged Kherson
-
Leclerc shows practice pace as Antonelli prowls in Mexico
-
British king reflects on colonial atrocities in Guyana
-
Trump, Milei under pressure to explain Bolsonaro flight from Brazil
-
Nations agree crucial texts in overtime at UN nature summit
-
Hakimi bags hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain rip Le Havre to pieces
-
NBA Trail Blazers lose guard Morant for four weeks
-
Polish riot police deployed after court chief suspended
-
UN nature summit in extra time as nations grapple for deal
-
Emery's focus fully on Fulham despite Barcelona tie
-
Complaints upheld against Swiss TV commentary on Israeli bobsleigher
-
Reigning champs chase history in New York Marathon
-
Tielemans glad Man Utd sticking with Carrick
-
Monaco taken off global money-laundering 'grey list'
-
Scottish police probe Andrew, Epstein stay at royal castle: UK media
-
Canada, EU launch new alliance with deals on Ukraine, minerals, AI
-
Medvedev into Vienna semis and books ATP Finals place
-
Tears, fear, anger: relatives of Spain train crash dead await fate
-
UN nature talks in extra time as nations struggle to reach deal
-
Spurs get Maddison boost ahead of Palace clash
-
Meta settles, leaving Snap sole defendant in new social media trial
-
French authorities fear new street violence at Halloween protests
-
Chelsea manager Alonso dismisses talk of Estevao loan deal
-
Rickelton, Mulder centuries lift South Africa's chances in Test decider
-
Thousands of students, workers hold peaceful protests in Italy
-
Maresca adamant Donnarumma can be dropped but first name selected
-
Iraola glad to raise Liverpool fans' hopes but says hard work ahead
-
EU and Canada to 'withstand shocks together' with new alliance
-
Pope Leo makes history with US midterm vote
-
Flick praises Yamal 'mentality' after missing out on Ballon d'Or
-
Arsenal boss Arteta fires 'Disneyland' warning at Dowman after Fleetwood red card
-
Binance heist: How were cryptocurrency billions stolen?
-
Russia's ice hockey stars come in from the cold after CAS ruling
-
France boards up ahead of Halloween protests
-
Wall Street tech rout deepens on doubts over AI spending
-
Is Bukele's troop deployment in Haiti just a rescue mission?
-
'Life in the old dog': German economy grows more than expected
-
Relatives' anguish grows as Spain identifies train crash dead
-
England great Anderson asks what's 'wrong with me?' after Lancashire exit
-
Italy inflation surges to 5.4% as economy stalls
-
Markets lashed by tech rout as earnings fan AI fears
-
US jury hands win to Bayer in weedkiller cancer case
-
Germans to join Europe's youth protest wave
-
Scotland's Kinghorn hails Toulouse move for enhancing career
-
Novaya Gazeta closure part of Russia's 'giant military campaign': Muratov to AFP
-
Eala aiming to finish season with bang after Tokyo exit
McIlroy hails 'incredible' Aberg as Ryder Cup looms
Rory McIlroy says he is at the front of the Ludvig Aberg "bandwagon" as the rising star prepares to make his Ryder Cup debut later this month.
Aberg was hailed as a generational talent by Europe captain Luke Donald after he gave the 23-year-old Swede one of his six wild cards for the upcoming contest against the United States.
The former world number one amateur only turned professional in June but won the final qualifying event in Switzerland and will make the quickest transition from the amateur ranks to the Ryder Cup in the contest's history.
Four-time major winner McIlroy, in the field for this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, said he had played alongside Aberg in practice at the Ryder Cup venue, near Rome, this week.
World number two McIlroy teamed up with Tommy Fleetwood, losing to Aberg and Viktor Hovland.
"I had an opportunity to play with Ludvig for the first time on Monday, which I was excited about," he said. "I told him I've been looking forward to this for a while."
Asked if Aberg had lived up to his expectations, Mcllroy added: "Probably exceeded them. Everyone talks about what a great driver of the golf ball he is, which he is.
"The ball-striking is incredible. But I was really impressed with his wedge play and how he can sort of control his trajectory with shorter clubs. I was on the bandwagon before and I'm certainly at the front of it now."
McIlroy partnered Shane Lowry and Ian Poulter, twice, in the last Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in 2021, but lost all three matches.
He beat Xander Schauffele in the opening singles on the final day but Europe crashed to a humiliating 19-9 defeat.
The 34-year-old, who was left out of a session for the first time since making his debut in 2010, talked of the pain of the defeat.
"We're not used to playing for other people in this game, and you go out there and you're playing for your team-mates, you want to do well for them," he said.
"I felt like I didn't do that and I felt like I didn't give a good account of myself and that stung and the scoreline stung."
The Ryder Cup takes place at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club from September 29 to October 1.
F.Pedersen--AMWN
