Ludvig Aberg has set his sights on victory at the BMW PGA Championship after taking a two-shot lead into Sunday’s final round at Wentworth.
The rising star is playing in only his 10th event since turning professional and could leave the Surrey course with his second successive title on the DP World Tour.
The 23-year-old carded a third round of 66 to reach 16 under par on Saturday.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood hit 67 to share second place on 14 under with Scotland’s Connor Syme, who covered the back nine in 31 for a round of 65.
Masters champion Jon Rahm, who was two over par for the tournament after 21 holes, is four shots off the pace following a 66 which included birdies on the 17th and 18th.
South Africa’s Hennie du Plessis is on nine under (T17) after a round of 64 on Saturday, with countryman Oliver Bekker a further shot behind after carding 65.
Aberg’s victory in the European Masters earlier this month earned him a Ryder Cup wildcard from Europe captain Luke Donald hours later. But he admitted winning the BMW PGA Championship would also be “very high” on his bucket list.
“It is one of the biggest events on the DP World Tour, it’s been like that for a long time,” he said.
“I’ve got memories of Alex [Noren] winning here when he hit an unbelievable shot into 18. It’s really cool to see myself up there, I have to pinch myself in the arm every now and then but it’s quite cool.
“I think expectations just changed after Switzerland in terms of knowing I can do it. Even though I’ve won in college quite a bit it is different, whether you like it or not, to win on the pro stage and it was pretty cool to do that.
“I could tell myself that I could do it and was good enough and hopefully I’ll be able to do that tomorrow too.”
Fleetwood will pose a big challenge to Aberg as he chases a significant victory in front of his home crowd.
The 32-year-old’s impressive round was boosted by an eagle on the 4th hole courtesy of a lesson from Rory McIlroy.
“I had a lesson out of the rough from Rory on Monday when the Ryder Cup team were in Rome,” Fleetwood said.
“I always struggle to get steep on it and I am always chopping out of the rough so he just helped me with a couple of things on how better to do it really.
“It worked a couple of times today. The one with an eight iron on No 4 was good, it came out perfect and it is a new shot in my locker.”
© Agence France-Presse
