Ludvig Aberg is hopeful his nerves can help rather than hinder him as the Swedish amateur looks to build on his impressive start to the 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic over the final 36 holes.
The 23-year-old, who tops the World Amateur Golf Rankings, made a stunning start on his Rolex Series debut, recovering from an early bogey with eight birdies to share the first-round lead on seven under par.
Aberg then followed up his opening 65 with a second-round 73 across Friday and Saturday to sit at six under at the halfway stage of the weather-affected tournament.
He enjoyed seeing his name on the leaderboard alongside the likes of World Number One Rory McIlroy over the first few days but confessed to feeling nervous.
However, Aberg is determined to use those nerves to help spur him on.
He said: "I think as a competitor (being high on the leaderboard) is what you want to see and you want to be able to, because I know what I can do and I know that playing well leads to those kinds of scores.
"I'm not really thinking about it too much but obviously super happy and it's really cool to see my name up there.
"Obviously, if I say I'm not nervous I'd be lying but it's also a good thing to be nervous because that means that you care and it means that you're doing something right.
"So I'll just try to benefit off of it instead of freaking out. It's really cool to be here and it's really cool to play well and hopefully keep it up."
Despite being a long way from his native Sweden, Aberg was able to call on plenty of home support and relished being cheered on by the crowds at Emirates Golf Club.
Aberg, who plans to turn professional in the summer, said: "There's quite a few people from my hometown here this week, so to have their support is really cool.
"The first couple of holes scared me a little bit because of the noise but obviously it's really cool to feel the energy and see some good crowds."
Ludvig Aberg - Fact File
- Number One in the World Amateur Golf Rankings
- Earned exemption into Hero Dubai Desert Classic field by finishing fall college golf season ranked Number One in the PGA TOUR University Velocity Global Rankings
- The 23-year-old is making his Rolex Series debut this week
- Has made the cut in each of his previous two DP World Tour starts – the 2018 Nordea Masters (T34) and the 2021 Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik & Annika (T30)
- Made the cut at the 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship, one of three starts he has made on the PGA TOUR
- Twice a winner on the Nordic Golf League in 2020
- His PGA TOUR University record features 11 top-10s and two victories, including last year’s Big 12 Championship
- Was the runner-up at the 2021 European Amateur
- Represented Sweden at the Palmer Cup in 2020 and 2022
- Won the 2022 Ben Hogan Award as the best college player in the United States
