Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Happy hunting ground
SPORTS Noren back to scene of two most memorable victories
RY DER Cup star A lex Nore n ret u r ns to t he scene of two of the most memorable moments of his career as he targets a successful title defence in the Amundi Open de France.
Noren trailed by seven shots heading into the final round last year but a closing 67 in difficult conditions proved enough for the Swede to win his 10th European Tour title.
Three months later Noren again found himself on the 18th green at Le Golf National with the celebrations of Europe’s Ryder Cup victory already well under way, before holing a lengthy birdie putt to beat Bryson DeChambeau and set the seal on the seven-point triumph.
“That was amazing, maybe the best moment of my golfing career,” Noren said.
“I know the whole match was over but my game was still going and the coaches and the captains told us to keep going until the end of every match. It felt great to finish my game like that.”
Speaking about his French Open victory, the 37-year-old added: “It was an amazing week. I think I just made the cut and then I had a great weekend.
“I didn’t think I was even going to get in the play-off with the score I had. I thought I had to make a long putt on the last. I just missed it but then it was really tough coming in for guys. I felt very fortunate.”
Noren has failed to record a top-10 finish in 22 tournaments this season but was 15th in the Dunhill Links Championship recently and believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“It feels a little better. I’ve played decent the last few weeks,” he added. “I haven’t had the season I want to but it’s definitely getting better and it’s going in the right direction.”