Major champions descend on Scandinavian Masters

BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2007 Scandinavian Masters | Preview | 15 Aug 2007

The European Tour returns to action this week in Sweden when the Scandinavian Masters hits the fairways of the Arlandastad Golf Club in Stockholm, the first time this venue has played host to the event.

The course, designed by Sune Linde and Peter Chamberlain, is included in a large Business Park in Stockholm, housing mainly high tech companies but of which the golf club is very much a focal point. The course measures only 6835 yards, which in the modern era is one of the shortest on the European Tour. It will be of interest to see how the scoring holds up against a field that, although not strong, still contains many of Europe’s better players.

The tournament organisers and promoters have been able to attract several interesting USPGA Tour players in addition to the likes of Europe’s Robert Karlsson, who was runner up last year, Simon Dyson, local hero and two time winner, Jesper Parnevik, Peter Hanson, Pelle Edberg and recent Russian Open winner, Per-Ulrik Johansson.

Edberg missed the cut in Germany three weeks ago but was in impressive form in big events prior to that. He was 12th at the Open Championship, 4th at the Scottish Open and third at the European Open and, playing in his home country this week, he has a chance to show Swedish golf fans just how far he has come with his game.

Dyson’s final round of 64 at the PGA came after a very poor run of finishes in recent months but with the belief that a round such as that might provide, Dyson could do well this week.

Karlsson finished runner up to Marc Warren last year in this event and although he has not played as well generally in 2007 he did make the cut last week at the PGA.

There has been enough good golf displayed by Jesper Parnevik in arguably stronger events in the US of late to suggest that this provides a great opportunity for his first win anywhere since 2001.

The player that interests me most of the several Americans in the field is Corey Pavin. Pavin has made the cut in seven of his last eight USPGA Tour starts and this week on a golf course measuring perhaps 500 yards less than those he has battled against in recent weeks he might be more in his element. Pavin has proven himself capable of playing well internationally.

John Daly will no doubt have a cult following in Sweden and flashes of his great talent were evident on occasions last week at Southern Hills, especially early in the week.

Tom Lehman withdrew from the field this week with a wrist injury.

Of the Australasians, Brett Rumford, Matthew Zions, Wade Ormsby, Terry Pilkadaris, Matthew Millar, Andrew Tampion, Steve Alker and Terry Price all get their chance.