Eleven of Europe's twelve Ryder Cup players are competing this week in the flagship event on the DP World Tour.
One who had the aim set right during Thursday's play was Ludvig Åberg. The Swedish golf star actually started a bit unevenly, with a bogey on the first hole and bunker visits on both the second and third holes.
Åberg can be glad that he was only one over par so far. Then the 25-year-old got the game in order – and lined up birdies. The eighth birdie came when Åberg, from a position outside the green, sunk a putt from just over 15 meters on the second-to-last hole.
The ninth came on the final hole after a shorter break due to thunderstorms. Åberg had a chance for an eagle on the hole but the long putt did not quite reach. The birdie still sent the Scania native into a shared lead with French dark horse Tom Vaillant.
By that time, many stars were still out on the course.
The big crowd ball, with Åberg's Ryder Cup colleagues Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry, had for example only managed to play three holes.
Ryder Cup, the traditional team match between the USA and Europe, will be decided outside New York on 26-28 September.
