BMW PGA | Fleetwood thanks McIlroy for golf lesson after setting up Aberg duel

Tommy Fleetwood thanked Rory McIlroy for a golf lesson out of the rough after setting up a Ludvig Aberg duel at Wentworth.

Ben Smith

16 Sep 2023

BMW PGA | Fleetwood thanks McIlroy for golf lesson after setting up Aberg duel — BMW PGA | Fleetwood thanks McIlroy for golf lesson after setting up Aberg…

Tommy Fleetwood revealed a golf lesson from Rory McIlroy inspired an incredible shot in Surrey en route to setting up a showdown with potential European Ryder Cup star Ludvig Aberg at the BMW PGA Championship.

Fleetwood trails the 23-year-old Swede by two strokes after 54 holes at the flagship event on the DP World Tour.

Aberg birdied his final hole to post his second consecutive round of 6-under 66 to reach 16-under.

Fleetwood, Aberg and Scotland's Connor Syme will play in the final group.

The hugely popular Englishman followed his first two rounds of 69 and 66 with a 67 in glorious conditions on Saturday.

WATCH: Rory McIlroy cracks up after luckiest (?!) shot of his career

After turning in 2-under 33 - which included an eagle at No. 4 - Fleetwood was in a spot of bother at the par-4 11th after hooking his tee shot left.

One smooth 8-iron later and Fleetwood was on the green. "I hit it in some tricky spots today," Fleetwood said before adding: "I did have a lesson off Rory on Monday out of the rough because I'm pretty used to it [being there].

"I spoke to him about it and he gave me a couple of tips to try and practice this week. A couple times today, I had a chance to try it and it came off, so thanks, Rory."

Elsewhere, Jon Rahm is in solo seventh on 12-under, with fellow Ryder Cup team members Tyrrell Hatton and Sepp Straka one stroke further adrift.

Viktor Hovland is by no means out of it at 10-under but will need leader Aberg to make some mistakes.

The aforementioned McIlroy, 34, made the cut here amid chaotic scenes at Wentworth and posted a 67 to reach 6-under.

"Are you kidding me..."@TommyFleetwood1, take a bow #BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/vm09S6zjcc
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 16, 2023

But undoubtedly the star here is Aberg. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald surprised many by selecting the Swede as one of his six wildcards but he has taken the golf world by storm over the last two months.

He won in Switzerland to cement his place in the team and is looking untroubled as he bids to win his maiden Rolex Series event.

"All I try to do is prepare for each tournament the best I can," said Aberg. "I wouldn't necessarily say there has been any surprises [since turning pro]. Once I'm on the golf course I just try to have fun."

Asked where this tournament would rank on his bucket list, Aberg said "very, very high" and referenced watching fellow Swede Alex Noren win here.

"It's really cool to see myself up there, I have to pinch myself in the arm every now and then."