SCORESHEET
July 24th 2011, Stockholm, Sweden: Scott Hend of Australia secured a tied fourth placing at the Nordea Masters with a final round two-over-par 74 on Sunday.
He was five-over through 13 holes but recovered superbly by shooting three birdies in the last five holes to finish on four-under-par 284, 11 strokes from the champion Alexander Noren of Sweden.
Jeev Milkha Singh |
Noh Seung-yul of Korea and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, both Asian Tour Order of Merit champions closed on matching 75s to settle for tied sixth on a 285 total.
Alex Noren may not have reproduced his majestic third round display at the Nordea Masters, but he still registered a comprehensive seven shot victory in his native Stockholm.
The 29 year old, who was quite brilliant in setting a course record 63 on Saturday, carded a closing 77 for a 15 under par aggregate of 273 at Bro Hof Slott.
Having birdied the first, Noren then had five bogeys and a double bogey at the 14th, but successfully negotiated the fearsome par three 17th, which has an island green.
After signing off with a birdie at the last he said: "I am so relieved. The only thing I thought of all day was the 17th.
"I said it doesn't matter how I play up to that, I just have to survive 17 and I did.
"I've never seen wind like this in Sweden. Every hole was super tough and even downwind it was hard to choose the clubs."
Speaking about winning on home soil, Noren added: "It's even more amazing at home, everyone cheering you on and you don't really feel that somewhere else.
"It's amazing, you see some friendly faces in the crowd and it's unbelievable. I'm very happy."
With an 11 shot advantage at the start of the day Noren was never likely to be caught – nobody had ever come from more than ten shots behind in the final round to win a European Tour event.
England’s Richard Finch was the only man to break par in strong winds, his three under 69 good enough for second place.
The highlight came with a 70 foot putt at the 16th – one of six birdies – although he did find the water en route to a triple bogey six at the penultimate hole.
“For seventeen holes it’s the best round of golf I’ve ever played - absolutely delighted,” said Finch. “It was a tough day. The course is tough enough as it is without however many mile an hour winds it is blowing.
“It’s the same for everyone so you just have to try and put your best foot forward so I just tried to hit the fairway, hit the green, and see where we can get from there.
“Luckily I managed to get off to a great start with a couple of birdies in the bank, and managed to keep the momentum going.”
Another Swede, sponsor’s invite Niklas Lemke, was a distant third on five under par.
Victory takes Noren into the top 70 on the Official World Golf Ranking and the top ten on The Race to Dubai.
He becomes the fifth Swedish player to win the event on home soil, capturing his third European Tour title just seven weeks after winning the Saab Wales Open.
