The clock strikes 10.11 as a real star trio takes their first swings at Le Golf National outside Paris. Ludvig Åberg has been placed in one of the tournament's so-called "featured groups" alongside world number three Rory McIlroy and world number one Scottie Scheffler, which says a lot about the Swede's status after just over a year as a pro.
Yeah, I just saw that. Nice!, says Åberg to Aftonbladet.
Much suggests that it will be this three-ball that attracts the most spectators on the course that hosted the Ryder Cup six years ago.
Åberg, himself world number four, arrived in Paris over the weekend. Last week, he missed the qualifying limit in the British Open, his last tournament before the Olympic Games.
Still, he seems calm ahead of his Olympic debut.
It's very tough competition, many of the world's top players are here. On the other hand, I know my own ability and what I can do on a golf course. I'm very comfortable in my own skin and look forward to making a good tournament week, he says.
Besides 24-year-old Åberg, Alex Norén will also be playing men's golf for Sweden. Norén, who participated in the Olympic Games in Tokyo three years ago, starts his round at 9.22 on Thursday morning. Argentine Emiliano Grillo and Ryan Fox from New Zealand will play in the same ball.
