Sweden\u2019s Ludvig Aberg overcame his nerves and a \u201cstupid\u201d double bogey to make an impressive start to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.<\/p>\n

Playing alongside Ryder Cup team-mates Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland, Aberg carded five birdies in a row on the back nine before hitting his tee shot out of bounds on the par-five 17th.<\/p>\n

However, the 23-year-old responded with a birdie on the last to card an opening four-under-par 68, with Hovland returning a 69 and McIlroy struggling to a level-par 72.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 17th was a little bit stupid but other than that I felt like I hit the ball great and gave myself a few chances, especially on the back nine where it\u2019s a little bit more scoreable,\u201d Aberg said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOverall, I\u2019m really happy with the way I played. I was very nervous this morning, it would have been weird if I wasn\u2019t, but playing with Rory and Viktor was a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aberg only turned professional in June after a stellar amateur career, but won the final Ryder Cup qualifying event in Switzerland and was given a wild card by Europe captain Luke Donald the following day.<\/p>\n

McIlroy declared on Wednesday that he was now at the front of the Aberg \u201cbandwagon\u201d after partnering him in a practice round in Rome two days earlier, while Hovland joined Justin Rose in labelling him a \u201cstud\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n