Alex Noren is excited to play alongside defending champion and compatriot Linn Grant at the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed as the pair look to put on a show in front of their home fans in Sweden.
Grant stormed to a nine shot victory in 2022 as she made history by becoming the first female winner of the event.
Having witnessed the emphatic display for himself en route to a T15 finish, Noren is now relishing the chance to tee up alongside his fellow Swede at a course knows all too well in Ullna Golf Club.
“I was very happy to be paired with Linn [Grant] this week,” the 40-year-old said. “I know her long game is great, but her wedge play last year was amazing. 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 a fun week.
“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.”
Noren arrives in Sweden off the back off a difficult start to 2023 with his best finish on the PGA Tour a T15 at the Valero Texas Open.
But now back on the DP World Tour at a course he is familiar with in Stockholm, Noren will be hoping home comfort can be the key to rekindling his best form.
“I am excited,” Noren said. “I used to play this course a lot when I was living in the city [Stockholm]. 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.”
As for the innovative format this week – with 78 men playing against 78 women in the co-sanctioned event – Noren admits he now appreciates the appeal of the tournament after some initial hesitancy.
“The format grew on me when I played it [in 2022],” the 2018 Ryder Cup winner said. “I played the Scandinavian Mixed as a tournament for the first time last year, I didn’t know about the format, if it was the best. I wanted us to have two tournaments.
“But I think everything worked in a tournament. When there is something on the line, honour and money as well, when people want to win, it works.”
Noren gets underway at the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed on Thursday at 13:00 local time alongside Grant and Scotland’s Robert McIntyre.
Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #ScandinavianMixed.
