After another entertaining Open Championship, the European Tour heads north to Scandinavia this week for the Nordea Masters.
American pair Dustin Johnson, runner-up at Royal St George’s, and Bubba Watson are part of a strong field, but it may be more success for Sweden on home turf. Here’s our three picks for a big week in Stockholm.
Johan Edfors
The Swede has enjoyed a successful season to date and despite a hangover following his good display (top 20) at the US Open, he can challenge for the title this week.
Edfors has five top-10 finishes to his name and has moved up to 31st in the Race To Dubai standings.
The 35-year-old knows how to win, with three European Tour titles to his names, and will have his fair share of support behind him.
Sweden has had two winners of this tournament in the last three years and Edfors is one of a handful of home players to have a chance of landing 250,000 euros first prize.
Edfors @ 28/1 Outright Winner
Jamie Donaldson
The Welshman enjoyed a fine week in Sweden last year and, on current form, will feel this could be a good chance to earn his first European Tour title.
Donaldson has not finished outside the top 25 in his last six tournaments, including a top-10 spot in the Scottish Open.
The 35-year-old tied for eighth at the Bro Hof Slott Golf Course and clearly has the liking for the set-up.
Donaldson, who may have one eye on next year’s Ryder Cup team, is eighth in the stroke-average rankings and top-20 in greens in regulation – if a few putts drop this week he will surely challenge for top spot.
Donaldson @ 10/3 Top-Five Finish
Alex Noren
Noren is the only Swede to have won on the European Tour this year and he has described the Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed course as one of his “favourite tracks”.
Although he missed the cut last year, the Wales Open winner is high in confidence going into this week’s event.
The 29-year-old is 16th in the Race To Dubai standings and has five top-20 finishes to go along with his win.
A 69 in his opening round at Sandwich shows he’s in strong form and a good start this week could be vital.
Noren @ 12/5 Top-10 Finish
