Alex Noren has won the British Masters this Sunday at The Belfry. For those who love omens. The last time he lifted a trophy was at the Ryder Cup. It happened in 2018. It’s true that back then he won the Open de France at Golf National, the same venue that hosted the clash between Europe and the United States a few months later. Another difference is that after winning in Paris seven years ago, he was ranked 14th in the world rankings, while this Monday he will be around the 30th position. Let’s say the Swede has introduced a reasonable doubt with his victory. Before, he was an absolute outsider, now he’s someone who could be in the running if he performs very well in Switzerland next week. He’s signed up.
Some might think that considering Noren as a candidate to be chosen for the Ryder Cup is getting too excited over just one good week in England. The reality is that it’s not just one week. The Nordic golfer arrived at the British Masters after finishing 7th in the 3M Open and 3rd in the Wyndham Championship. In a way, he was giving a warning.
There will also be those who say: how is Luke Donald going to take a player who, even after winning today, is still in 26th place in the Ryder rankings. Very far from twelfth. They are not wrong, but it must be taken into account that Noren did not play between October and May due to a serious injury to his right hamstring. That is, he hasn’t had many opportunities to earn points. However, since returning at the Truist Championship, he has played 10 tournaments, won one, achieved two other top 10s, made seven cuts, and left the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow on Sunday with a chance of victory, although things didn’t go well for him in the final round.
If we add to this that he has already played a Ryder Cup with more than notable performance, that he has plenty of experience, and that today he defeated in direct duel the three main favourites for that last selection by Luke Donald: Matthew Fitzpatrick, Marco Penge, and Nicolai Hojgaard, there you have the reasonable doubt. Those who have taken an almost definitive step back to be in the Ryder this Sunday, or at least it seems so, are Matt Wallace (77 strokes), Kristoffer Reitan (75), Laurie Canter (75), or Aaron Rai.
Noren won on an exciting Sunday at the Brabazon course at The Belfry. There were many candidates who were vying to win the tournament. Matthew Fitzpatrick started leading, Marco Penge was almost always around, Keita Nakajima crashed the party, Nicolai Hojgaard looked like the champion for a long time, and at the last moment, Kazuma Kobori overtook them all. Well, all except Noren, although he came very close.
Fitzpatrick disappointed in this final round with a card of 74 strokes. He was unable to find the rhythm of birdies he needed at any time. He struggled from the tee, and from there all his problems arose. This Sunday is a step back for the Ryder. Penge was very inconsistent, aggressive as always, but getting into trouble and, above all, lacking finesse on the greens. Nakajima simply came from far behind and finished with a crushing bogey on the 18th. Nicolai was leading the tournament but let it slip with an unexpected bogey on the 16th from the middle of the fairway, and Kobori could hardly have done more. He finished with a six-under-par in the last six holes, with two incredible putts on the 17th and 18th, and didn’t win the tournament because Noren withstood the onslaught.
The Swede cemented his triumph with three consecutive birdies on holes 15, 16, and 17. He played them by the book and went to the 18th with a two-stroke lead. He almost got into trouble by missing the fairway and then the third shot, but he pulled off a magnificent approach and putt for bogey to lift the trophy and fuel a reasonable doubt. It’s Alex’s eleventh victory on the DP World Tour, the second at the British Masters. He ties with Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson as the Swedes with the most titles. Big words.
As for the Spaniards, none came close to the pastures where the victory was being contested, but the British Masters brings a handful of positive news. For example, Ángel Hidalgo, including a hole-in-one on Saturday, has achieved his best result of the season. It was about time. He finished in 13th place with a total of eight under par and a final round of 70 strokes (all four days under par) that left another highlight: a spectacular eagle on the 10th and a splendid celebration with the crowd.
A good week also for Ángel Ayora (-8). The two Malaga natives finished tied in that top 15. He gets back into the top 50 of the Race to Dubai and gives another boost to the season. Today he shot 69 strokes. He leaves a very solid weekend with a six-under-par and only two bogeys.
And the other good news is Joel Moscatel (-7). He has strung together three consecutive rounds under par and finished in the top 25. It’s his best result since Ras Al Khaimah, seven months ago. He needed this confidence boost. He gains a handful of positions in the Race to Dubai and is now just over 40 points away from the position that currently marks the cut for the card. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but this has been a step forward.
Additionally, Manu Elvira (-5) had a good week and continues to hover around the Dubai Final positions, Rafa Cabrera Bello (-2) has climbed back up the rankings and is now on the doorstep of the top 100, while Jorge Campillo (PAR), Alex del Rey (+2), and Pablo Ereño (+6) did not have the weekend they needed.
