Virginia Water, UK – Rudig Åberg holds the lead share, while Rory McIlroy found water in the final hole after finishing five shots on the first day of the weather-affected BMW PGA Championship held in Wentworth on Thursday.
Abarg, the chosen Swede captain of the European Ryder Cup team heading to Bethpage Black later this month, shot an 8-under 64 to join Tom Weilant on the leaderboard.
McIlroy, who won the Irish Open in a playoff victory against Joakim Lagerglen on Sunday, made birdies on the first and fourth holes before his fifth par-3 bogey.
The Northern Irish added birdies on the 10th, 12th and 16th. However, he entered the water on the 18th with a par 5 and settled in first round 69.
The late starter on Thursday will have to complete the opening round on Friday morning as play was interrupted due to darkness at 7:30pm. A 90-minute delay in weather disrupted plays in the afternoon.
Casey Jarvis was alone in third place and shot one lead.
Aberg started the day with a bogey on the first hole, but then did not drop any shots and finished the round on the 10th and 12th with a front nine and two birdies with three birdies.
All players except one of the European Ryder Cup teams are in Wentworth. Cep Straka is at home with his wife. He recently gave birth early.
Matt Fitzpatrick (66), another of Luke Donald’s captain’s picks, was two shots off the lead. Justin Rose and Shane Lowry were different shotbacks.
Former No. 1 Jon Rahm won three birdies for 71 at the Final Four Hall.