Ludvig Åberg Leads BMW PGA Championship

Ludvig Åberg shot 8-under 64 to share the lead in the first round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Thursday.

Åberg started his day with a bogey at the first hole, but then did not drop a shot, making four birdies on the front nine and two more at the 10th and 12th before ending his round with three birdies.

Rory McIlroy found the water on the final hole to finish five shots back with a 69. McIlroy made birdies on the first and fourth holes before a bogey on the par-3 fifth.

Åberg, a captain's pick for the European Ryder Cup team, is looking to make a strong impression ahead of the tournament at Bethpage Black later this month. He is currently tied for the lead with Tom Vaillant.

Casey Jarvis was alone in third place, one shot off the lead. Matt Fitzpatrick, another of European captain Luke Donald's picks, was two shots off the lead.

Play was suspended due to darkness at 7:30 p.m. local time, so Thursday's late starters will have to complete their opening rounds on Friday morning. A 90-minute weather delay had disrupted play in the afternoon.

Justin Rose and Shane Lowry were a further shot back, while former No. 1 Jon Rahm had three birdies from the 15th in his 71. Åberg will look to build on his strong start when play resumes on Friday