Swede in the groove at The Grove – British Masters

Alex Noren’s stunning victory in the British Masters (13-16 October) has seen his Official World Golf Ranking rocket into the top-20 for the first time in his career.

 

Scotland is where the Swede’s phenomenal winning streak began when he won the Scottish Open.  That was in July.  Shortly afterwards he came runner-up in the Aberdeen Asset Management Matchplay, also in Scotland.  He peaked again in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland by holing a 30-foot putt for victory at the first extra hole in a play-off with Scott Hend.  Then, last weekend, in the heart of the English countryside at The Grove in Hertfordshire, the 34-year old from Stockholm added the British Masters to his 2016 collection.

 

Noren completed his season hat-trick in great style with four rounds in the 60’s in the British Masters to win his seventh European Tour title.  A tap-in birdie putt at the last to get to 18-under par sealed his victory by two strokes.

 

With this win, Noren has burst onto the world stage, eleven years after turning pro.  Less than two years ago – on the 25th January 2015, to be precise – he was ranked 471st in the Official World Golf Ranking.  Eighteen months later, on 3rd July 2016, his ranking had improved to 108th.  This week, the stunned Swede sees his name featured among the most elite players of the world in a breathtakingly dizzy jump to 18th spot in the world rankings.  He is rated just three places behind the great American Phil Mickelson.  In the European order of merit, the ‘Race to Dubai’, ruled by Danny Willett currently, he now lies fourth.

 

 

‘Beef’ and Swede delight the British crowds

 

Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston was thoroughly enjoying the British Masters at Chandler’s Cross the first two days.  The home crowds were loving it too.  He opened with rounds of 67 and 65 – precisely matching Alex Noren’s 10-under par halfway tally.  But the burly Englishman’s challenge faltered in round three after carding three bogeys and a double-bogey with only three birdies to make up the deficit.

 

At 16-under par after 54 holes, Noren was three ahead of his nearest rival, Englishman Richard Bland, going into the final day of play on the 7,152 yard, par-71 championship course designed by Kyle Philips.

 

Yet it wasn’t to be all plain-sailing.  Another Swede had shot up the leader-board on Saturday with a round of 66, 5-under par, to get within four shots of Noren.  But after a round of 70 on Sunday, Peter Hanson, the 2012 KLM Open Champion, had to settle for a share of 4th place on 13-under.

 

Austrian Wiesberger mounts challenge

 

It was Bernd Wiesberger who put the most pressure on Alex Noren during the final round.  The 31- year old Austrian, who already has three titles under his belt, as well as nine top-10 finishes to his name this season – three of which in the last three events – including a runner-up spot in the KLM Open, was looking a real contender in the British Masters.  He opened with rounds of 68, 66 and 67 to get to 12-under and so tee-up on Sunday in a four-way tie for third place, four shots off the lead, along with Hanson, Richard Sterne and Tommy Fleetwood.  Sandwiched between them and Noren was Bland at 13-under.

 

   

 

Wiesberger eventually closed the tournament with another great round of 4-under par, 67 to get to 16-under and so secure outright second place, two adrift of Noren’s winning score.  Wiesberger was one-shot ahead of the 2007 British Masters Champion, Lee Westwood.  The Englishman snatched third spot with four superb rounds of 67, 68, 67, 67.

 

Westwood bounces back after Ryder Cup

 

It was mighty good to see Lee Westwood right up there in contention.  His pride and confidence must have taken a bit of a bashing in the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine a few weeks ago, yet he surged up the leader-board on Sunday to finish as ‘the Best Brit’ at The Grove, two strokes clear of fellow countrymen, Bland and Fleetwood.

 

The British Masters, which has been supported by Sky Sports since 2015 when the tournament returned to the European Tour schedule, was hosted by former World Number One, Luke Donald this year.  Busy ambassador duties, however, seemed to take their toll on the amiable Englishman.  After opening with a 77, he missed the cut by a country mile.

 

Congratulations on your third victory this season, Alex Noren – British Masters Champion!

 

Wendy Hoad

 

 

Nice to know:

FINAL LEADING SCORES:  Winner: Alex Noren (SWE) 266;  2. B. Wiesberger (AUT) 268;  3. L. Westwood (ENG) 269;  T4. P. Hanson (SWE), R. Bland (ENG), T. Fleetwood (ENG), A. Levy (FRA), G. McDowell (NIR) 271.

THE CUT: 73 players made the level par cut (142).  Among the 11 players missing the cut by one stroke: Paul Lawrie (SCO) 73-70; Robert Karlsson (SWE) 70-73.

MORE OF OUR FAVOURITES:  T12. Lee Slattery (ENG) 274;  T28. Andrew Johnston (ENG) 277;  T41. Andy Sullivan (ENG) 279;  T45. Joost Luiten (NED).

 

 

PICTURED: Alex Noren celebrating his Scottish Open victory in July; (below l-r): Bernd Wiesberger, Peter Hanson, Lee Westwood and Andrew Johnston.  (Archives).