SUCH WAS ALEX Noren’s advantage going into the final day of action at the Nordea Masters that a round of 77 was still enough to see the Swede collect the €250,000 top prize on Sunday evening.

The 29-year-old picked up a birdie on his opening hole of the day but very little else went right as four consecutive bogeys followed, before taking six shots on the par-four 14th hole. Another bogey followed on 16, before he managed to end on a high with a birdie three on 18 for a final tally of -15.

Despite his tough day at the office, Noren was still seven strokes ahead of Richard Finch in second (courtesy of his course record 63 on Saturday), after the English golfer carded a 69 to move on to eight under. Another Swede Niklas Lemke was third, with Australian Scott Hend and Pablo Martin of Spain in a tie for fourth.

Ireland’s Damien McGrane tied for 16 after a final round 76 left him on level par for his four rounds.

Speaking afterwards, Noren expressed both relief and delight to have claimed the win.

“I’ve never seen wind like this in Sweden. Every hole was super tough and even downwind, it was hard to choose the clubs. It’s even more amazing (winning) at home – everyone cheering you on and you don’t really feel that somewhere else.”