Alex Noren, a 43-year-old Floridian Swede, won his second BMW PGA Championship on Sunday. He couldn’t have done everything that’s come before without a gauntlet playoff matchup against France’s Adrien Saddier. The exclusive Wentworth Club in Surrey, England served as the backdrop for the high-profile affair. Noren further displayed his superb talents and determination, particularly in light of a difficult six-month comeback from an injury-plagued hamstring that had sidelined him.
Noren finished the tournament strong with a 4-under 68 to finish at 15 under par. Having gone into the final round tied with Saddier, he set the stage for a dramatic winner-take-all duel. The turning point came on the par-5 17th hole, where Noren holed a birdie putt from just outside 20 feet, showcasing his exceptional putting ability and determination.
By the time they reached the final hole, the pair was still even, creating even more suspense. Noren had a complex chip shot on the par-5 18th hole in the playoff. But having gone at his fairway metal big, he was worried that his approach shot would fly all the way into the stream which flanked the hole. Noren’s deft touch from just before the burn. He dropped the ball in a perfect spot — just three feet away — and he made a birdie to clinch his win.
Noren’s success at Wentworth is all the more impressive considering he hadn’t played competitive golf until the beginning of May. Since coming back from his injury, he’s enjoyed incredible success, winning two out of his last three starts on the European Tour. His most recent victory will push him into the top 20 in the world rankings.
“The other guys have played better than me throughout the year,” said Noren reflecting on his journey back to form.
Noren has had great personal success, but that’s not where he sets his sights. As he gets ready to help Luke Donald at the next Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, he focuses on collaboration with his staff.
“I’ve put in great results now. But I think the guys on the team are going to be fantastic,” he added.
In fact, the playoff against Saddier was so heavyweight in nature that Noren himself confessed that it felt like a battle.
“You’ve just got to fight. Today felt like a fight. I think he outplayed me tee-to-green, but that’s how it goes,” he commented after the match.
Rory McIlroy, another prominent golfer, praised Noren’s performance, calling it “a really nice way to sign off the week, last competitive round going into the Ryder Cup.”
Just a few weeks ago, Noren’s victory at the BMW PGA Championship highlighted his immense talent and dogged determination. It clears the way for an exciting Ryder Cup preview coming up. His documented ability to respond to adversity and play well when the games get serious is a testimony to his competitiveness as an athlete.
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