Rolex Series

Ludvig Åberg admits he is warming to 'cool course' at Renaissance Club

Ludvig Åberg admitted the Renaissance Club is "definitely growing" on him after climbing into contention at the Genesis Scottish Open.

Ludvig Aberg-2224671410

The Swede was among the late starters on Friday, where American Chris Gotterup had equalled the course record of 61 to set the clubhouse target of 11 under.

Åberg negotiated the trickier conditions of the East Lothian coastal course, and a slow start of bogey-bogey, to soar to eight under at the halfway stage.

Birdies at the third, fifth and seventh saw him get into the red numbers at the turn, and the momentum continued with a gain at the tenth.

A superb putt from 43 feet at the 11th maintained the birdie trail and although he parred the 12th, he picked up further shots at the 13th, 14th and 16th to sit two behind Gotterup.

And despite failing to close with a par, which saw him slip three back alongside English pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge, Åberg is taking a keen liking to the North Berwick layout.

"It's different every time we play it, with the different direction from yesterday to today and this year with the fairways a little bit firmer," the World Number Nine said.

"It's a cool course. It's definitely growing on me. I like the way that it looks, and you get some really tough shots, and you get some easier ones.

"It's a good mix between that, but I think it's playing really fair and really true, and I'm looking forward to the weekend."

The 25-year-old admitted bouncing back from his disappointing beginning to day two was just the tonic he needed to kickstart his second round.

"It wasn't the best of starts. But I did feel like I was striking the ball quite nice, especially good enough to shoot a good score," Åberg said.

"It was nice to birdie three, the par five, and I think if I had not birdied three, I think that would have felt like three dropped shots in a row. It was nice to do that.

"Yeah, made a lot of putts today, which was nice, about 15 to 25 foot range which definitely helps. But overall, pleased with the score, and looking forward to a nice weekend."

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        Åberg also opened up about how he prepared for this event and the final Major Championship of the campaign at Royal Portrush next week.

        "I spent two weeks in Sweden where the greens aren't rolling. That was a good thing to get reps," he added.

        "Obviously it takes away from break on the putts, especially these shorter putts, you're used to not hitting as firm and now that little change in the way you hit them.

        "It's the same for everyone and it is a little bit different, but we knew that going into it. I'm pleased with the way it's been the last couple days."

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