Oscar Lengden is hopeful of raising his game to new heights on his return to the Swedish Challenge hosted by Robert Karlsson Swedish Challenge hosted by Robert Karlsson – the scene of his best finish to date on the European Challenge Tour.
Last season the Swede was firmly in contention at Katrineholms Golfklubb, missing out on a spot in a three-man play-off by just one shot after delighting the home crowds to claim a share of fourth place.
After that breakthrough performance, the 25 year old went on to finish in the top five on the 2016 Nordic Golf League’s Order of Merit to earn full status on the Challenge Tour for 2017.
Yet to match the heights of last year’s outing, Lengden admits he has work to do if he is to reach his goals – but believes he can find inspiration by competing on home soil once again.
“Obviously last year was special,” he said. “It was my first Challenge Tour event at home, only my second appearance on the Challenge Tour too, and to play in front of great Swedish crowds who were cheering my name was a fantastic experience.
“It was also my first Challenge Tour event where I was in contention. I remember coming down the stretch and there was a lot of pressure on my shoulders, I really felt every aspect of my swing under that pressure as well.
“Having felt those emotions, I do feel a lot more confident that I can cope in those situations. I have not quite been in contention yet this season, but I am hoping now that I am back here that I can produce an even better performance than last year.”
Lengden, who hails from Helsingborg in southern Sweden, arrives at this year’s tournament feeling well-rested after taking a break – a move that worked to his advantage last season.
“I had just come from a vacation last year,” he said. “My expectations were pretty low as I hadn’t touched a club for weeks. But I felt really relaxed after spending some time in my summer house on the west coast of Sweden.
“I really like the course here in Katrineholm. I was able to take advantage of the par fives last season, which was the key in me doing well here.
“I think I am a good par five player, and there are lots of opportunities to do well on the par fives at this course.”
Eight events into his debut season on Europe’s top developmental tour and Lengden feels that he is underachieving after a stunning 2016 Nordic Golf League campaign where he won once and finished in the top five on five further occasions.
“I am not happy with how I’ve been playing so far,” he said. “It is a big change coming from the Nordic League, and although I’ve had a few good finishes, I feel that there is more to come.
“I finished tied 11th in Belgium and felt really solid, but if I had played like that on the Nordic League I probably would have won, so I feel like I have had to step up a little bit and practise harder and more often.
“I came into the season hoping to win the Rankings. But my goals have changed after the way I’ve been playing, so while I’m still aiming for the top 15 my short-term goal is to make the top 45.”
Joining Lengden in this week’s field is his fellow countryman Joel Sjöholm, who is making his first appearance since he won his maiden Challenge Tour title at the Italian Challenge Open by Lyoness two weeks ago.
Also fresh from victory is Aaron Rai. The Englishman secured European Tour promotion with his third Challenge Tour title of the season in France last week.
The Englishman is also well fancied this week, having finished fourth alongside Lengden in Katrineholm one year ago.
