Alex Noren is relishing the opportunity to tee it up again on the DP World Tour in his hometown of Stockholm as he targets a return to his best at the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed.
The Swede will be a huge draw for the crowds at Ullna Golf and Country Club, which is hosting the mixed field event for the first time this week.
In his most recent two starts on Tour, Noren recorded back-to-back top fives – most recently at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January – but he has since struggled to replicate those results on the PGA TOUR.
But buoyed by working again closely with members of his coaching team who have played a pivotal role in his career, and course knowledge, the Ryder Cup star is eager to put on a show on home soil.
“I am excited. I used to play this course a lot when I was living in the city [Stockholm],” said Noren, a previous winner of his home open in 2011 and 2015.
“I am from the south, so I didn’t come here much when I was a kid but when I moved back to Sweden from abroad, I played here a lot.
[My form] was good when I was last playing on the DP World Tour and then it has not been great. It has been a tough Spring.
“I am just trying to get the coaches I used to work with back and create that feeling of trust. I have been trying to find coaches in America and it hasn’t been so easy.
“The head has been full of should I do this, or should I do that. In the end it is not very helpful as a golfer. You need something to stick to. Hopefully I can turn it around.”
Fellow Swede Linn Grant is the defending champion after she made history as the first woman to win on the DP World Tour in last year’s edition at Halmstad Golf Club.
Noren will play alongside Grant, who won by a stunning nine shots, and two-time DP World Tour winner Robert MacIntyre over the opening two days and believes there is plenty he can learn from the experience.
“I know her long game is great, but her wedge play last year was amazing,” he said.
“When I play every tournament, I try to see where I can improve and then you can go back. It will be great to watch her.
“I think all the guys are in awe of how straight the women hit it.
"It will be fun to play with her. Obviously, you are in your own game when you play a tournament. I was more frustrated I didn’t get to her number, but it was great for the tournament. It was such a great victory."
