Alex Noren overturned a seven-shot deficit for the second time in a Rolex Series event as he claimed the HNA Open de France title after a dramatic final day at Le Golf National.
The 35-year-old Swede started the final round in a share of seventh, but moved serenely through the field with a closing 67, as this year’s Ryder Cup course hinted at some of the drama that lies in store for the European and USA teams in September.
Spanish stars Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, Ryder Cup player Chris Wood and American Julian Suri all had their chances to reel in overnight leader Marcus Kinhult, but each one, including Kinhult himself, gradually succumbed to the notoriously unforgiving Albatros Course, with Noren’s seven-under-par clubhouse target proving enough for his tenth European Tour title.
There was a certain sense of déjà vu for the Swede, who also won the first Rolex Series event, the 2017 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, after coming back from seven shots back on the final day.
Noren’s compatriot Kinhult had held a two-shot overnight advantage from Wood, but his challenge gradually faded as the lead changed hands several times, with the 21 year old carding a triple bogey on the fourth and double bogey on the 15th in his round of 76.
Kinhult was not the only one to experience the true test posed by the Albatros, with Suri holding a one shot lead on the 18th fairway, but the American found the water with his approach to the island green, and went on to make a double bogey six for a round of 69. That meant he slipped back into a share of second place on six under par, alongside Scotland’s Russell Knox, who posted a fine 65, and Wood, who threatened to force play-off before a bogey on the 17th hole proved one shot too many for the Englishman.
Garcia and Rahm were also unable to sustain their challenges, with Garcia’s round of 74 bookended by double bogeys, after the 2017 Masters champion found the water on the first and 18th holes. He had to settle for a share of eighth place alongside world No.2 Justin Thomas on four under par. Rahm triple-bogeyed the 12th en route to a one over par 72, as he finished tied fifth with Kinhult and Matthew Southgate, who matched Knox’s 65.
Noren, who looks certain to be playing a part in the action in Paris in September, said: “I thought I needed to get to eight under to have a chance for a play-off, but there are so many tough holes on this course, especially over the closing stretch. It’s tough, but there are also birdies out there if you hit the greens and fairways in the right spots, and fortunately I managed to do that today. It’s hard course to hold a lead on, so coming from behind might, when the spotlight isn’t quite on you so much, might have been the easier way to win it as you have nothing to lose by playing aggressively.”
Speaking of his first win since the BMW, Noren added: “It feels amazing. I’ve been close this year in America, and then two shots off Francesco’s Molinari’s win at Wentworth. When you’re out there, you really want this win, and it felt unbelievable to get it today, perhaps when I least expected it.
And on the prospect of returning to Paris in three months time, he added: “If I would be on the team, it would mean a lot. You get good memories from here. The first two years I came here, I thought I could never win around here, and the last three years, I’ve had good results. I think all of us golfers work that way, we like places that we have played well on before.”
ALEX NOREN’S WINNING GEAR:
Driver: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero (9°)
Fairway wood: Callaway Rogue 3-wood (13.5°)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex (18°)
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro 16 (4-9)
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 4 (46°, 50°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey O-Works #1
Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft