BMW PGA Championship R1 | Rory McIlroy upstaged by Ludvig Aberg at Wentworth

World No.3 Rory McIlroy was upstaged by European Ryder Cup rookie Ludvig Aberg on day one of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Ben Smith

14 Sep 2023

BMW PGA Championship R1 | Rory McIlroy upstaged by Ludvig Aberg at Wentworth — BMW PGA Championship R1 | Rory McIlroy upstaged by Ludvig Aberg at…

Rory McIlroy was upstaged by Ryder Cup rookie Ludvig Aberg on day one of the BMW PGA Championship.

McIlroy, 34, carded an uninspiring opening round of level par 72 at Wentworth.

It left the Northern Irishman, who last won here in 2014, considerably off the pace at the flagship event on the DP World Tour.

By day's end it was Denmark's Marcus Helligkilde who held the early lead after posting an 8-under 64 that included 10 birdies and two bogeys.

Aberg is four strokes back after his 64 in Surrey that included five birdies in a row from No. 11.

Watch Rory McIlroy's daughter Poppy steal the show at BMW PGA Championship

The 23-year-old Swede should've been closer to the lead but he came unstuck at the par-5 17th on Thursday after a wayward tee shot.

Aberg later described the ensuing double bogey as 'stupid' but he was nevertheless pleased with how he handled his opening round.

He explained he felt the need to almost 'pinch' himself on the fairways as he played alongside McIlroy and Viktor Hovland, who carded a 3-under 69.

In a few weeks' time he will make his debut in the Ryder Cup despite being a surprise pick by captain Luke Donald.

Donald decided to gamble on Aberg instead of Poland's Adrian Meronk.

Meronk, who complained of feeling sad, angry and shocked by Donald's snub, sent a message to the European captain here with an impressive opening round of 5-under 67.

[There was] a little bit more people than I'm used to following me around," said Aberg.

"It was really fun playing with those two guys. Obviously the level of golf that they can do is pretty amazing and for me to watch that is pretty cool.

"I was kind of walking around and then almost pinched myself in the arm on the fairways but [I] really enjoyed it, and proud of the way I handled it today."

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He added:

"I hit some nice iron shots. I feel like this golf course is pretty straightforward. If you put the ball in front of you off the tee, you get a lot of mid-irons. Luckily today I hit a few nice ones and obviously made a few putts as well. I think that's what I've got to keep doing and just take it for what it is."

Elsewhere, England's Matthew Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (69) and Tyrrell Hatton (68) started strongly. As did Shane Lowry (69).

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