LUDWIG Aberg illuminated The Players Championship Friday with a sparkling 9-under-par 63 to grab a two-shot lead that saw world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, and No. 2 Rory McIlroy narrowly miss the cut at the TPC Sawgrass.
Aberg goes into Saturday’s third round leading Xander Schauffele, who hit all 14 fairways in his round of 65.
Aberg was all business and very sharp as he navigated the Stadium Course with the familiarity of a man who knew it like the back of his hand. He recently transferred to a home near the course and had practiced here quite a few times
He was 5-under after four holes and finished the front nine at 29, marked by two chip ins, one for birdie, on No. 4, the other an eagle, on the par 5 ninth. His 29 tied the front-nine record.
He capped his round with a birdie on the 18th to give him the two-shot lead over Schauffele with his 132 total, 12 under par.
While Aberg was practically having a field day, Scheffler was fighting to make the cut. Going to 18th, Scheffler needed no less than a par or birdie to make weekend.
His 3-wood tee shot found the middle and then, with his progress on the line, the world No. 1 hit his approach to within 8 feet and converted for his 73 and 1 over for the tournament.
McIlroy, like Scheffler, also finished at 1 over 145 and the defending champion, who nearly missed the tournament with a bad back, fought back with a birdie on the ninth, his last hole, for a 71.
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