Super Swede Alex now dreaming of a Major breakthrough
THIS time 12 months ago, Alex Noren came to the Scottish Open as just another player looking for that one big week as a springboard to better things.
He certainly found it at Castle Stuart and has gone on to enjoy a spectacular spell as one of the hottest players in golf.
Victory at the Scottish Open was the first of five tournament wins in the space of 10 months for Noren, which no-one has bettered.
The Swede has climbed from 99th in the world to his current position of No. 8 and has proved himself as a man for all conditions – but especially in Britain.
From the links along the Moray Firth to the Grove for the British Masters and then the redesigned West Course at Wentworth at the BMW PGA Championship, Noren has conquered them all,
There were also wins in Switzerland and South Africa in this golden year.
Only Ia n Wo os n a m and Colin Montgomerie had done that same British treble before, so the man, who turns 35 on Wednesday, is in illustrious company.
Even though the Scottish Open is moving to a new venue this week at Dundonald Links, Noren can’t wait to return to the Home of Golf.
Having bogeyed the final hole in 2012 to miss out on a play- off at Castle Stuart, Noren was delighted to put that right and become Scottish Open Champion.
“I always dreamed of winning in Scotland,” he says. “It was great to come away with the trophy and I found it fun with the crowd. They were so friendly and really cheered us on.
“It’s kind of like a second family up here as they give me the same support as a home crowd.
“I love links golf and it’s a really fun challenge. It’s more that I enjoy it rather than it fits my game, and the sponsors put on a great event.
“Experiencing the different weather is a test, but I like that the course surfaces
play the same, even if the weather comes in.
“I’ve had so many ups and downs at the Scottish Open, from my sour memory in 2012, to my amazing high last year.
“The winning putt was so short, but so great to hole, and it gave me so much confidence.
“However, I could never have dreamed of what has happened. I’ve won in the past, but not big tournaments like this. It’s unbelievable.
“To shoot 62 on the last day at Wentworth was probably my best- ever day on a golf course.
“The new greens there are incredible and I holed everything. It’s tough coming down the stretch, but saving par at 15 was important for momentum and then to eagle the last was amazing.”
While golfers normally say that practice makes perfect, Noren believes that more time on the course rather than pummelling balls at the driving range has paid dividends.
Now he is ready to try to take his game
to the level of competing to win a Major and following his compatriot and Open Champion, Henrik Stenson.
“I’ve joined a new club in Sweden. It doesn’t have a practice range, which is fantastic,” he reveals.
“I go out in the mornings and play nine holes. It only takes about two, two-and-ahalf hours and it’s great.
“When I’m not in tournaments, I just enjoy being on the course rather than on the driving range or the chipping green.
“I also have a good balance in my life. Becoming a father has been brilliant because it takes my mind off golf.
“My aim now is to get to a point where my game can compete with these guys in the Majors.
“From the ones I’ve played in, my performances have steadily got better. My game still needs to improve, but I hope I’m on the right path.
“We had been longing for a Major winner in Sweden and it was great for the whole country to watch Henrik win The Open last year, and especially the way he did it.”