Alex Noren back on home turf for another tilt at Nordea Masters title

Alexander Noren is back in his native Stockholm this week for the Nordea Masters feeling good about his form as he prepares for another tilt at the title he won in 2011.

Noren goes into the tournament at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club having been greatly encouraged by his tee to green efforts in last week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where he finished tied for 32nd.

The 30-year-old, who has achieved three top-10 finishes this season, told the European Tour website: "I feel like my game is in good shape.

Feeling good
"Last week, tee to green was among the best I have played. I didn't take advantage of the birdie chances there and made too many two-putts but I feel good coming into this week."

When he won the Nordea Masters – the last of his three European Tour titles — two years ago, Noren did so in emphatic fashion, triumphing by seven shots having started the final round with an 11-shot cushion following a course record 63 in round three.

Last year he finished 10th, with Lee Westwood being crowned champion, and ahead of this year’s competition, Noren said: “I have played Bro Hof so many times.

“Before I moved to Monaco, I played it every day in the summer when I was home. It’s a bit like the greens at Wentworth last week — if you know where you want to be it makes it a lot easier. It certainly helps to play there a lot. Being from Stockholm, it’s obviously a special event for me too with so many friends and family there.”

Darren Clarke is back in action after a hamstring injury and is part of a quintet of Irish players competing. He is joined by Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, David Higgins and Alan Dunbar, who is playing on a sponsor’s invite.