In the season's biggest tournament so far, Ludvig Åberg showed stable play on one of the most iconic courses in the world, TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
At least in 16 of 18 holes.
After a round of The Players Championship, the season's biggest tournament and colloquially called "the fifth major", the 25-year-old is under par despite double nightmare holes.
It was like a rollercoaster. A bit good and mixed. I thought I hit the ball okay, tee to green. I hit many fairways and gave myself many chances anyway. But generally, there were a few too big mistakes in between, says Åberg.
Four-putted
On the 13th hole (Åberg's fourth for the day, started the round on hole 10) the Swedish world number four was close to sinking a long putt and making the day's second birdie. But instead, it ended with a double bogey, after being forced to use four strokes on the green.
The Swede then showed strong mental strength, and responded with two birdies on the following three holes.
But then it was time for the next mishap.
On the ninth hole, Åberg chipped past the entire green, resulting in a water visit. Thus, it became another double bogey, and after half the round, the Swede was one over par.
Under par
But after shaking off the nightmare hole, the Swede could continue with his stable play, and finished the round with a somewhat unusual birdie, where he hit a leaderboard. A finish that meant 71 strokes, under par, for the day.
I don't know how I managed to finish with a birdie, but I did. So lunch tasted a bit better now anyway, he says.
The Swede had one of the earliest start times, and several players have either a lot left or haven't started their round yet. American Lucas Glover leads on six under par.
The tournament's other Swedes are still out on the course. Jesper Svensson is one over par with one hole left to play, and Henrik Norlander is four over after seven holes.
