Ludvig Åberg is staring down the most crowded leaderboard of his career. Two shots back at the 108th PGA Championship, the Swede faces a Sunday sprint.

Åberg spoke on Saturday after the third round of the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. He is tied for second place with Jon Rahm and three other players, two shots behind leader Alex Smalley.

When asked about his thoughts on the leaderboard, Åberg didn't hold back.

"I've never seen anything like it," Åberg said. "It's very tight. I think there's a lot of good players within striking distance going into tomorrow, and it's a cool thing, I think, for the viewers."

Åberg addressed whether the leaderboard changes how he approaches the course.

"There's not a whole lot you can do differently," he said. "So I think that's why we're seeing a tight leaderboard, but it also makes it exciting for tomorrow."

Aronimink has featured difficult pin placements, fast greens, and gusty winds through three rounds. Every round has ended with a crowded leaderboard.

Åberg led the field in tee-to-green play during the third round and was tied for first in strokes gained overall. He made just one bogey in the second round while hitting 17 greens in regulation.

When asked about the closing stretch on holes 16, 17, and 18, Åberg kept it direct.

"But 17 is a strong hole. If you play it all the way back, it's a long iron," he said. "18, you have to hit sort of the left side of the fairway. Otherwise, you have the biggest tree in the world in your way."

He added, "Whoever's going to win tomorrow needs to hit golf shots all the way in. That's just the way it's going to be. I'm looking forward to that challenge."

Åberg has been in contention late on Sundays at majors before and described what those opportunities mean.

Ludvig Åberg Sits Two Back and Likes His Chances on Aronimink's Closing Stretch

"These are the ones that we all want to win," Åberg said. "When we do sit down and summarize a career, these are the ones that you want on your resume."

Rahm shot a 3-under 67 to join Åberg, Matti Schmid, and Nick Taylor at 4 under, with Schmid and Taylor carding the low round of the day at 65.

Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele sit one shot back at 3 under, while Justin Thomas and Maverick McNealy fell down the leaderboard after over-par rounds on Saturday.

Åberg rebounded from an opening 2-over 72 by making four birdies over the final seven holes of his second round, then carded four birdies and two bogeys in the third round.

Åberg is two shots behind Smalley, and will tee off later on Sunday.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav