Noren wins European Masters
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2009 Omega European Masters | Round Four | 07 Sep 2009
Sweden’s Alexander Noren has broken through for his first European Tour victory by holding off a big finish by Welshman Bradley Dredge to win the Omega European Masters in Crans Sur Sierre.
The 27-year-old is in his third season in Europe and, although there have been numerous top tens in that time, this much anticipated victory has proven elusive.
Today, however, in the Swiss mountains he took a two shot lead into the final round and although challenged by Dredge, a birdie and an eagle at the consecutive par fives on the back nine established the cushion he needed to hold on.
Noren played collegiate golf in the US before turning professional in 2005 and graduating to the European Tour in 2007 via an excellent season on the Challenge Tour in 2006.
Dredge won this event in 2006 and despite his struggles in recent months indicated that he was returning to form with a 7th place finish at the recent KLM Open. On a golf course he clearly enjoys he has continued that improvement.
Ross McGowan was third while Miguel Angel Jimenez finished 4th.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee gave International Presidents Cup captain Greg Norman plenty of reason to seriously consider him as one of his two wildcard picks that will be announced on Wednesday. Jaidee finished 5th this week and in a season where he has won two European Tour events, sits in 51st position in the World ranking and leads the Asian Tour money list, this week’s effort might have been enough to get him across the line.
The leading Australian was Peter O’Malley who finished 23rd, while former winner Brett Rumford lead after an opening round of 62 before finishing 32nd. New Zealander Danny Lee was 42nd and Michael Campbell 69th.
