Noren shoots incredible 62 to seal victory
ALEX NOREN went into the BMW PGA Championship as arguably the world’s most underrated golfer but surely no more after claiming the title yesterday with one of the finest rounds in Wentworth history.
Beginning two hours before the leaders and with 22 players teeing off after him, Sweden’s 34-year- old Monaco resident charged past the lot with a stunning 62 featuring no fewer than eight birdies and an eagle.
‘this is definitely my best ever round,’ said noren, unhesitatingly, after claiming his fifth title in a blistering 10-month spell.
‘i did everything right today and on top of that this course is really mentally demanding down the stretch.’
Sweden’s finest golfers certainly seem to save their very best golf for these shores, for noren’s effort is worthy of mention in the same breath as Henrik Stenson’s wondrous 63 to win the open at Royal troon last year.
So what price noren collecting the Claret Jug from Stenson at Royal Birkdale in July? After all, he now holds virtually every other title played for in the UK these days after adding this trophy to the Scottish open and the British Masters he claimed last year.
When the latest world rankings are released this morning, there will be just seven players ahead of him.
While noren was getting ready to party, Englishman Justin Rose was bracing himself for a difficult conversation with Jack nicklaus, still the greatest name in golf.
Rose signed off his week’s work with a fine 66 for joint 12th place with compatriot Matt Fitzpatrick, before deciding to pull out of this week’s Memorial tournament in ohio, an event he has won in the past and where the Golden Bear just happens to be the host.
‘it won’t be an easy phone call because of the respect i have for Jack,’ said 36-year-old Rose. ‘ But i have been a big supporter of his event over the last decade and i’m sure he will understand when i explain my reasoning.
‘it’s been a busy week here and basically i feel the need to free up some time to make sure i do myself justice at the US open in a fortnight.
‘i need to work on my fitness a bit and i’d like to pay a reconnaissance visit to the venue Erin Hills, because it’s one i’ve never seen.’
the olympic gold medallist has made no secret of the fact he is prioritising the majors these days.
‘Given all the majors he won i’m sure Jack, of all people, will know where i’m coming from,’ said Rose, who won the US open at Merion in 2013.
Six Englishmen teed off after noren but, like everyone else, none could get close to mounting a charge at the rampaging winner.
Lee Westwood could not repeat his heroics from the previous day while the local boys tyrrell Hatton, Ross Fisher and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston seemed intimidated rather than inspired by the vociferous support from another bumper 24,000 crowd.
in the end it was South African open champion Graeme Storm who was the leading Englishman, shooting a 68 to finish tied for sixth place.
noren made up seven shots in the final round to win the title, equalling the record for this event set by Simon Khan in 2010 and matched by Rory Mcilroy in 2014.
this was a better round than either of those, however, as noren won by two clear shots from italian Francesco Molinari. this was a real once-in-a-lifetime performance if ever there was one.
Appropriately, the Swede saved his best for last, hitting a five-iron at the 18th hole to 10 feet and rolling in the putt for an eagle three.
the final group were on the ninth at the time but no- one could touch noren in the two hours of play that followed.
As if to emphasise it was his day, the threatening rain that had stayed away all week started to fall at almost the moment noren handed in his card.