Stunning 62 propels Noren to victory

bruced

Alex Noren closed with a 10-under-par 62 to complete an incredible two-stroke victory at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday.

The Swede started Sunday’s final round a full seven shots off the pace – seemingly out of the conversation for victory – but conjured up a stunning new course record to snatch the trophy away from all the front runners.

After eight birdies in a flawless round, Noren produced one of the best shots ever played at the par-5 18th – an approach to six feet for an eagle, a 62, and an 11-under-par total.

And, having enjoyed the best of the conditions, Noren was able to sit back and watch as heavy rain began to fall while the final groups tried in vain to catch him.

The likes of overnight leader Andrew Dodt, Branden Grace and Shane Lowry were only a few shots back with 18 holes to catch the leader, but they all stumbled on the back nine after the weather turned.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari closed with two successive birdies to sign for a 68 and finish as the closest challenger on nine under.

In a tie for third a further shot back were Nicolas Colsaerts, Henrik Stenson and Hideto Taniharam, while Graeme Storm, Lowry and Dodt shared sixth on seven under.

The day belonged to Noren, whose 62 was the lowest round on any layout of Wentworth’s West Course, and also equal to the lowest round of his career.

The feat was reminiscent of his final-round 64 at the 2016 Nedbank Golf Challenge, which also saw him snatch victory coming up from way down the field.

“It feels amazing and crazy because I had no intention of trying to win this morning,” said Noren. “I didn’t even think about it when I came off the course quite angry yesterday after playing a good round and chipping it into the water from the back of the green on 18. It’s a great feeling now but it feels unreal.

“It’s a tough course mentally coming down the stretch. It’s not super narrow but it’s just if you hit it a little bit wayward it can cost you. I putted probably the best I’ve ever putted.

“This tournament in my mind compares a lot with a Major. The only thing I’ve wanted to do is play better against tougher fields and tougher courses and I view this as a very difficult course against a top field.

“So my confidence goes up and just to work towards my goals and improve on my weaknesses and my strengths and try to figure out where I’m losing shots and gaining shots.

“That’s what I’ve always needed, to believe in myself, then it’s easier to focus on what you need to do.”