- Aberg continues to impress ahead of Ryder Cup debut
- Swede posts impressive four under opening round
- Helligkilde leads
Newly turned professional Ludvig Aberg tuned up for his Ryder Cup debut with a stellar opening round at the BMW PGA Championship.
The 23-year-old Swede showcased his potential, outscoring Ryder Cup comrades Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland by posting a four-under-par 68, despite a stumble with a double bogey on the 17th.
“Playing with Rory and Viktor was a lot of fun,” expressed Aberg, who only transitioned into the professional ranks this June.
Helligkilde hits superb eight under
Denmark’s Marcus Helligkilde leads the pack in the clubhouse with an impressive eight under par.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay find themselves in joint second place at six under.
“The 17th was a little bit stupid but other than that I felt like I hit the ball great,” added Aberg, who received a Ryder Cup wildcard shortly after clinching the European Masters in Switzerland earlier this month.
Hovland carded a three-under-par 69 while McIlroy trails by another three shots.
Norway’s Hovland showered praise on his Ryder Cup teammate Aberg.
“The way he’s played the last couple of months, he has not been a pro very long but he certainly doesn’t look scared of the moment,” the world number four remarked.
“I think this week is a great experience for him but I think he’s ready regardless.
“He’s super talented and he is going to be around a long time. He’s going to do great things.”
Betting Implications
While the USA remain favourites for the Ryder Cup, Europe’s chances have been bolstered with the emergence of Aberg. With McIlroy slowly but surely returning to form and fitness, having had a consistent year prior to his back problem, Shane Lowery returning to form and Hovland playing well, Luke Donald’s team, with home advantage, will be looking to give it a good go against a talented American squad.
As far as the BMW PGA Championship is concerned, after the first round Fitzpatrick is, at the time of writing, favourite with BetVictor. He is priced at 11-2 with Hovland 15-2, Tyrell Hatton 11-1, Tommy Fleetwood 14-1 and Aberg 14-1. McIlroy is currently 22-1. Odds are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
BMW PGA Championship First Round Leaderboard
-8 M Helligkilde (Den); -6 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), R Ramsey (Sco); -5 T Detry (Bel), A Meronk (Pol), P Larrazabal (Spa), J Campillo (Spa), J Morrison (Eng), M Baldwin (Eng), C Syme (Sco), R Hoshino (Jap)
Selected others: -4 L Aberg (Swe), T Hatton (Eng), -3 S Lowry (Ire), T Fleetwood (Eng); -2 L Donald (Eng); -1 D Willett (Eng); E R McIlroy (NI)
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