Noren’s name is up with greats
and getting back into the groove. This week everything was back together again. It was a nice performance. I’m pleased with a top-three finish.” While there was no British champion for an enthusiastic crowd that topped 50,000 over the four days, they did at least see a winner wearing red, white and blue shoes. It looked uncertain for Noren when Wiesberger – who, like Westwood, shot a finalround 67 – holed a 15ft birdie putt at the 15th to tie the lead. But, one group back, Noren responded in kind by grabbing a putt which seemed for all the world to be leaking right. When you are running hot, the cup is your ally. His golf on the closing holes was exemplary with a precise 50-yard pitch to within a foot setting up a closing birdie that sealed the deal. The 34-year-old was embraced by his partner Jennifer Kovacs on the 18th green and promptly soaked in Prosecco by his Swedish compatriots.
If the finish came without a hitch, receiving the trophy from tournament host Luke Donald proved less straightforward.
The plinth crashed to ground as he accepted it.
But to join names on it like Peter Thomson, Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros puts Noren in esteemed company.
“I’m very proud. When I was in college, I never thought I would be a professional that could play for a living, and now look,” said Noren.
“My belief gets stronger and stronger. I said to my caddie out there with seven holes to go, ‘This is the most fun I’ve ever had’. Every shot felt more important than at any other time.
“I still felt very nervous because my game was kind of up and down during the day and the other guys were playing a bit better than I was but in the end, over the last four holes, I got it together and played really well.” the