Aberg, Soderberg tied for lead at BMW PGA Championship; McIlroy barely makes cut

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Ludvig Åberg birdied No. 18 in fading light to take a share of the lead. Rory McIlroy did the identical to almost actually make the cut.

In a chaotic finish to the second round of the BMW PGA Championship, Åberg and McIlroy won their very own personal battles down the storied par-5 last hole at Wentworth, where — for some time — nine balls were recurrently in play as players backed up to finish their rounds in close-to-dark conditions.

A lot of the light shining on the green got here from the large illuminated scoreboard as Åberg, the 23-year-old Swede tipped to be the subsequent big thing in golf, rolled in a putt from 4 feet for a 6-under 66 to tie for the lead with compatriot Sebastian Soderberg (64) on 10-under par.

McIlroy then two-putted for birdie from 45 feet to complete off a round of 71 and move onto 1 under, which should see him make the weekend on the number. He can have to attend until Saturday morning to make sure, though.

A tournament containing all 12 members of Europe’s Ryder Cup team is ready for an exciting conclusion, with Åberg — one of the vital talked-about players heading to Rome — being chased by plenty of massive names.

Tommy Fleetwood (66) was a shot back in a four-way tie for third place that included Adrian Meronk, the Pole who’s using the pain of his Ryder Cup omission to underpin a run for probably the most prestigious title on the European tour.

Meronk still feels aggrieved at not being certainly one of Luke Donald’s captain’s picks after winning three European tour events since last July. That makes him a giant threat heading into the weekend.

“I’m attempting to turn that disappointment and anger into fuel,” said Meronk, who has a greater rating this week than 10 of Donald’s team.

“I definitely think it’s incorrect. I feel I’ve deserved it.”

Thomas Detry of Belgium (68) and Masahiro Kawamura of Japan (65) were also 9 under, while Sepp Straka — who will likely be a Ryder Cup rookie in Rome — shot 66 and was a stroke further back.

Then got here Tyrrell Hatton (69) on 7 under and each Jon Rahm (67) and Matt Fitzpatrick (72) on 6 under. All are within the Ryder Cup team.

Rahm produced a tremendous recovery after dropping three shots in his first three holes, responding with an eagle from 12 feet at the par-5 4th after which six birdies in his final 10 holes.

Åberg’s finish was pretty similar as he made five birdies in his final seven holes, including three straight from No. 16.

He only turned pro in June and has already won on the European tour, at the European Masters in Switzerland at the beginning of September, to assist secure a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup. Now he might be taking a victory within the tour’s flagship event to the most important team event in golf, further underlining his credentials as a star for the long run, if not the current.

McIlroy, alternatively, seemed to be battling together with his swing for much of the day and cut a frustrated figure in the ultimate holes as Åberg, playing in the identical group, piled up the birdies.

“I haven’t had my best over the past couple of days but I don’t feel like I’m too distant,” McIlroy said, “so hopefully I get a chance to play one other couple of rounds here, and you already know, try to complete the week off on , positive note.”