Everything you need to know from day one at the third Rolex Series event of the year.
Ryder Cup star Ludvig Åberg and tournament debutant Tom Vaillant shared the lead at the conclusion of the weather-affected first day of the BMW PGA Championship.
Here is everything you need to know from day one at the third Rolex Series event of the year.
Early riser Vaillant goes low
Vaillant continued his impressive recent form with an opening 64 on his BMW PGA Championship debut. The 23-year-old Frenchman finished his first round with a flourish, firing six birdies in the last seven holes to reach eight under par and set the early clubhouse target, which Åberg would later match. Heading into this week 124th on the Race to Dubai Rankings, Vaillant is finding form at the right time. His best result of the season so far came at the Omega European Masters two weeks ago where he finished in a tie for 17th courtesy of scores of 64 and 66 in the third and fourth rounds respectively. And Vaillant produced his very best golf at Wentworth early on Thursday morning as, playing in the first group out at 6.40am local time, he carded ten birdies and two bogeys. He said: "It showed that I can go low, so that's nice."
Åberg drains monster putt
Åberg's opening round featured many highlights but perhaps the pick of them was the Ryder Cup star's 50-foot birdie at the 17th. From just off the green, he judged his putt to perfection and watched the ball dive into the hole to the sound of huge cheers. That took the Swede to seven under par and within one shot of the early clubhouse lead before play was suspended due to thunder and lightning in the area at 13.34 local time. After the resumption 90 minutes later, Åberg made a closing birdie for a share of the lead.
McIlroy's magnificent start
Rory McIlroy produced a big finish to secure victory last week but it was his start that caught the eye on Thursday. The Masters Champion chipped in from 14 yards for a brilliant birdie and it is fair to say the enormous crowds following him enjoyed it...
Højgaard saves best until last
Rasmus Højgaard did not have the best of days, carding two double bogeys, two bogeys and two birdies in his first 17 holes. But he produced a moment of magic at the 18th. After just carrying the water, he then thinned his chip shot straight along the ground, hitting the pin and watching his ball drop in the cup for a bonus eagle.
Rose's fine finish
Home favourite Justin Rose is making his 20th appearance at this event this week and he put all of that experience to good use in round one. After making a single birdie and no bogeys in a front-nine 34 the Englishman caught fire after the turn, following up a ten-foot birdie at the 11th with a hat-trick of gains on the 15th, 16th and 17th before the hooter sounded. A closing par saw him card a 67 and he said: "Yeah, felt a little bit tricky coming out. I don't know if it was just the morning. Felt quite wet under foot. So took me a while to find my rhythm today but began to play much better on the back and had some good chances actually, coming in. Hit some good iron shots."
Hatton judges pace to perfection
Tyrrell Hatton's birdie putt from more than 80 feet at the seventh was something special. Check this out...
