It wasn't the first time this year that Noren has impressed on the big occasion - he finished sixth at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth - as he has confirmed the promise of his excellent rookie year of 2007.

At this year's Wales Open I asked Peter Hedblom to name a future star of European golf and he didn't wait a second to reply: "Alex Noren because he can shape the ball both ways and these days that doesn't happen very often."

Given that this was just a few days after Peter Alliss has dismissed the shot-shaping qualities of the modern player it might be that Hedblom was being cheeky, but I believe he meant it.

Having followed the Oklahoma State graduate at the Belfry today I think Hedblom's faith in his compatriot is justified - not many players these days are as happy as Noren was to play the fade and draw when the situation demanded it.

The Belfry may not have a reputation for being a subtle test, but it would be a fool who underestimates the need to shape the ball between the fairway bunkers on holes such as 4, 5, 13 and 15, whilst the dog-legs of 17 and 18 demand very different drives.

For some the answer is hit a standard drive and rely upon hitting the perfect line.

Noren, on the other hand, picked the fade or draw which suited the examination and passed with flying colours more often than not.

In total, 12 of 15 fairways were hit - two of those missed were by the smallest of margins - and although he sometimes failed to hit the greens in regulations he did keep the hazards and the short-side completely out of play.

But - and isn't there always a "but"? - Noren needs to work on his putting which on today's evidence is tentative at best.

He did, at least, acknowledge the problem on the 16th green.

Having thrown his ball to a small boy, he turned back and offered the putter as well.

"I think you might do better," he laughed. "Fancy a go?"