Nordea Masters - Joy for Jaidee

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

HANDS up if you saw that coming. Henrik Stenson was meant to win the Nordea Masters in front of a home crowd in Sweden and consolodate his position as the world's second-ranked player.

Instead, the title went to Thongchai Jaidee, of Thailand. Now let's get something straight, here - golfers from that part of the world NEVER win in Europe. Sure, they win lots of tournaments in Asia, where they are at home with the humidity, grainy greens and the quirky golf courses.

Well Jaidee is not your typical Asian golfer. Never has been. Never will be. This was his sixth European Tour win and although four of them have come in Asia, he is a former winner of the Wales Open and a man who can and does contend all over the world.

He certainly didn't have things all his own way in Sweden. Trailing joint overnight leader Stenson by four shots, Jaidee produced a stunning final round of 65 for a total of 272, 16 under par. Jaidee then had to wait as the last four groups made their way down the par five last – with only Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher able to match his score.

The three men then headed back down the par-five 18th for a sudden death playoff at PGA Sweden National. Jaidee spun his third shot to three feet and, after seeing Dubuisson and Gallacher miss lengthy birdie putts, converted to seal the title.

Stenson had led by two strokes during the early stages of a dramatic final day, but dropped shots on the six, ninth and 12 holes, before another bogey on the last hole finally ended his chances of a popular home win. It meant he had to settle for a total of 14 under par, finishing in fifth, with Dutchman Robert Jan Derksen (65) fourth on 15 under par

“I worked hard today,” said Jaidee. “I started with three birdies in a row, had another one on six, then a good comeback on 11 [where he made an eagle three].

“We were nervous the last few holes - 16, 17 and 18 are tough holes – but 16 under was good enough for a playoff. The golf course is wide open, you have to hit good golf shots and the weather helped a little bit.”

Dubuisson would have won with a birdie on 18 in regulation play, but three-putted from just off the green. Gallacher’s chance looked to have gone when he bogeyed the 17th from a greenside bunker, but he bravely converted from 20 feet at the next.

Stenson, playing in the final group with Eddie Pepperell, needed an eagle to win his national title for the first time, but pushed his second into trouble right of the green and eventually bogeyed. Pepperell went in water at the last and also ran up a six, when he needed a three to force his way into extra holes.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen matched Jaidee’s 65 to take fourth on 15 under, with Stenson alone in fifth and Pepperell sharing sixth with Spain’s Alvaro Quiros and another local favourite in Robert Karlsson – whose 63 was the best round of the week.

Dubuisson said: “I haven’t played for five weeks before this tournament, and I didn’t really know what to expect. I’m a little bit disappointed. I made some good putts, but it is like it was not meant to be today. I’m happy with the way I played this week though. You always want to win but to finish second is a good result, especially after five weeks out with my shoulder injury.”

Gallacher, who won the Dubai Desert Classic earlier in the season, said: "I had a good week and I was delighted to get into the play-off. I holed a lovely putt on the last after lipping out on both 16 and 17. Jaidee just hit a lovely shot there, or lovely three shots, on the last, which was playing really tough. But overall though it was a good tournament, great crowds and I’m really pleased.

“I was hoping to peak for a couple of weeks. I knew I was playing well, so to finish fifth and then second is not bad. I’m delighted with that.”

Naturally enough, Stenson was disappointed not to win in front of his home fans, but took it all in his stride. “It was one of those days when I didn’t quite get it going and missed a few chances and a couple of bogeys slipped onto the card too easily. You can’t afford that if you are going to win the tournament. I was still fighting and in with a chance on the last, but I just missed it in the wrong place. It left me in a bad spot.

“It would have been nice to win in front of home fans, but there will be more chances and there will be more chances to win other golf tournaments, so you can’t be too disappointed."

Image Credit: Facebook European Tour (www.facebook.com/TheEuropeanTour)

Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]