ICEBERG WARNING
LEADER LUDVIG JUSTIFIES SHOCK RYDER CALL-UP
UNSTOPPABLE Swede Ludvig Aberg will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the BMW PGA today as golf’s new superstar seeks the biggest win of his young career.
The former amateur world No.1 won his ninth pro event in Switzerland earlier this month to earn a stunning Ryder Cup wildcard.
And the ice-cool Scandinavian, who has never played a Major, outscored playing partners Rory Mcilroy and Viktor Hovland to take a share of the halfway lead here.
And Aberg, 23, shone with his second consecutive 66 on the last day of sunshine on the West Course to lead from Tommy Fleetwood and Connor Syme.
In his last three events on the DP World Tour, he is now 52under par in 11 rounds. And the world No.91, who was ranked No.914 before he turned pro in June, will gatecrash the world’s top 50 if he claims the $1.53million first prize today.
His staggering performances over the last few weeks mean it will be a surprise if he does not now win his final event before the Ryder Cup and go to Rome as a huge new weapon for Europe.
Aberg said: “I wish this game was easy but it’s not. I feel like I’m striking the ball quite well, and I’m just trying to take advantage of playing well.
“Switzerland was cool coming from behind with my first win and playing well over the back nine gave me a belief that I can do it and I can do it on this stage. Hopefully I’ll be able to do that tomorrow too.
“Winning here would be very very high on my bucket list. It is one of the biggest events on the
It’s really cool to see myself up there, I have to pinch my arm.
DP World Tour, it’s been like that for a long time. It’s really cool to see myself up there, I have to pinch myself in the arm every now and then but it’s quite cool.”
Aberg has taken every new step in his career this summer – turning pro, winning on the DP World Tour and handling the pressure of a Ryder Cup wildcard – in his stride.
“I almost got a bit of a warm up the first two days playing with Rory, a lot of stuff going on,” he said.
“I felt like I handled it well the last two days and did the same today. Hopefully I’ll do the same tomorrow.”
World No.149 Syme will seek his first DP World Tour win today at the age of 28 after recording three top-ten finishes in his last three events.
The Scot recovered from a double-bogey seven at the 18th in the second round to shoot a 65 yesterday to play in the final group with Aberg. He said: “I’m excited as winning would be amazing – but I’ll have my own pressure and my own goals.”
His father and coach Stuart was at Wentworth yesterday after skipping a wedding back in Scotland.
“It’s my mum’s best friend’s daughter,” said Syme. “They spoke and my mum was happy to go on her own – it’s nice having him here, absolutely.”
Forecasted afternoon thunderstorms will see the final round start at 8.10am with the leaders going off at 10.30am.