The Scandinavian Masters, which takes place at the Arlandastad Golf Course, in Stockholm, Sweden from August 16-19, has enticed four American former Major Champions – John Daly, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin and Jeff Sluman – to make rare appearances on The European Tour International Schedule.
Daly, the US PGA Champion in 1991 and Open Champion in 1995; Lehman, the 1996 Open Champion and 2006 US Ryder Cup Captain, Pavin, his assistant at The K Club, and Sluman, the 1988 US PGA Champion, have confirmed their entries to challenge for the title, held by Scotland’s Marc Warren.
The foursome will be hoping to emulate fellow Americans who have enjoyed success and created a fine history in this tournament, as, in the forerunner to the Scandinavia Masters – the Scandinavia Enterprises Open – George Burns, Bob Byman, twice, and Craig Stadler, all won it.
Outside The Open Championship, the 47-year-old Pavin, US Open Champion in 1995 at Shinnecock Hills, has not played regularly on The European Tour since 1983, when he was third in the Scandinavia Open and competed in eight more official Tour events – winning The German Open by holding off Tony Johnstone and Seve Ballesteros – to finish 36th in the Order of Merit.
Similarly, Sluman, in his sole European Tour appearance outside the Majors to date, finished tied third at the Scandinavian Masters in 2002.
Lehman has competed more regularly in Europe, and enjoyed a good Open Championship at Carnoustie, as he ended up tied 51st on nine over par. Back in May, Lehman finished tied 37th at the Telecom Italia Open.
Returning to Sweden as defending champion in August is Warren, who captured his maiden European Tour title in 2006 when he beat home favourite Robert Karlsson in a play-off, after the pair had tied on ten under par 278 at Barsebäck Golf and Country Club, Malmo.
