Three DP World Tour debutants will tee it up over the weekend at THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Ryder Cup Europe star Ludvig Åberg, Finland’s Sami Välimäki, and Matti Schmid of Germany, who holds a share of sixth place, all played their way into the final 36 holes in Ponte Vedra.
Germany’s Schmid, who finished 74th on the 2023 Race to Dubai Rankings following a runner-up finish at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, cemented his weekend place after back-to-back rounds of 68.
The 26-year-old made two eagles on Thursday to form part of his four under par and matched the same 18-hole score on Friday, where he threatened the lead before finding trouble on the testing 18th.
Åberg impressed during his opening bout around the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, carding a five under par 67. The 24-year-old, currently ranked tenth in the Official World Golf Ranking following an astonishing rise since turning professional last June, added a second round of 73 on Friday.
The 2023 Omega European Masters champion currently shares 27th place and will look to rekindle his form from Thursday should he wish to become only the second Swedish championship of the event.
Välimäki played his way into a maiden PLAYERS Championship after a runner-up finish at the Mexico Open in February and held his nerve on Friday afternoon to reach the weekend on the number.
The Fin, winner of the 2023 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters last October, opened with 71, and added a second-round 72, level par, for a 36-hole one-under-par total. A two-putt par from 50ft across the ninth green, his final hole, was enough to secure his weekend berth.
“It’s been tough over the last two days, but it has been an awesome week,” he said.
“Normally, you can sometimes find momentum out on the course, but I haven’t learnt how to play this course yet. It’s been a tough fight over the last few days.”
