It has been a long journey for Alex Noren, but the 34 year old from Stockholm has finally cracked the top 20 of the World Ranking.
Since accepting his invitation to represent his native Sweden in the World Cup of Golf in November, Noren’s form has been nothing short of sensational.
It all started at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in July, when he held off a world-class field – including fellow World Cup of Golf participants Danny Lee, Nicolas Colsaerts and Matteo Manassero – to seal his fifth European Tour victory. That was just the beginning of what would be a memorable three-month stretch for Noren.
Nearly a month later, he finished runner-up at the Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Match Play, again in Scotland, and in his next event at the Omega European Masters, Noren buried a 30-foot putt on the first play-off hole to defeat Scott Hend for his second European Tour title of the season.
Then last week, Noren tasted victory for the third time this season in the British Masters at The Grove, where he rattled off four consecutive rounds in the 60s – including a final round 69 – for a two-stroke victory.
The Swede sat 471st in the Official World Golf Ranking on January 25, 2015, but has made huge strides up the rankings over the past 20 months.
He reached a career-best 18th in the world after his victory at the British Masters, the largest leap amongst players inside the OWGR’s top 500 during that period of time.
It is safe to say that Noren is the hottest player heading into this year’s World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, held at Kingston Heath from November 24-27.
After World Number Five Henrik Stenson declined his invitation to compete in the World Cup, the torch was passed to Noren to represent his nation, and he had no hesitation in accepting.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Noren said.
When I found out that I would be representing Sweden in the World Cup, it was a great honour.
Alex Noren
“It means something more to be able to represent your country in an event like this.”
Noren turned professional back in 2005, and he was competing for the Sweden national team while attending Oklahoma State University. In 2004, at the Men’s Amateur World Cup in Puerto Rico, he won bronze for the individual honors.
“That was a big turning point for me, because I felt that I could compete and prevail against the best amateurs in the world after that,” Noren revealed.
Nearly twelve years after that feat, Noren will have a chance to compete against the world’s best players when 28 two-man teams descend on Melbourne’s famous sandbelt.
Noren’s World Cup partner, David Lingmerth, is no stranger to golf’s biggest stages either.
Lingmerth earned his first US PGA Tour win at the 2015 Memorial Tournament, defeating Justin Rose in a play-off.
He also represented Sweden alongside Stenson at the Olympic Games in Rio, finishing in a tie for 11th place.
The 29 year old, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida, will be making his debut in the World Cup of Golf, whilst it will be a second appearance for Noren, who finished in a tie for 25th in 2011.
Sweden’s last victory in the event came in 2008, when Stenson and Robert Karlsson claimed the country’s second title after a combined 63 – the lowest score on the final day – for a two-stroke victory.
