Alex Noren Storms To Victory At Wentworth
Swede leaves rivals trailing in his wake with stunning course record
The BMW PGA Championship lived up to its reputation as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the professional game when it came to an exciting climax at Wentworth as Europe’s top players fought for supremacy around the famed West Course. It is also the opening event in the Rolex Series, which has been described as, one of the most significant advancements in the Tour’s 45 years.
In the end victory went to Sweden’s Alex Noren, who could not be caught after he stormed to the front of the field with a course record-equalling score of 62 for an 11-under-par total of 277 that none could match. His bogey-free round included eight birdies and a spectacular eagle three at the 18th hole and brought him victory by two strokes over Francesco Molinari, of Italy, and a
€1.04 first prize of million.
Noren was thrilled to have won a trophy that all European players covet. “It is a fantastic feeling to have won this great championship, especially as it’s the first in the Rolex Series,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure out there because it’s a huge event. In my mind, this tournament compares a lot with a major.”
One of those who attempted to chase down Noren was Henrik Stenson, his esteemed countryman. The reigning Open champion had a 68 to finish three strokes off the lead and in joint third place with Nicolas Colsaerts, of Belgium, and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara. It was a week when the West Course,
€6 redesigned at a cost of around million, was seen in all its glory. Wentworth was a perfect venue for the inaugural event in the lucrative Rolex Series, which will feature eight tournaments in eight iconic locations across the world, all offering minimum prize funds of US$7 million.