Westy Wins In Sweden @ Nordea Masters

Lee Westwood (Getty Images)

Lee Westwood easily won his third Nordea Masters title in Sweden, at the  Bro Hof Slott GC, cruising to a five shot cushion over his rivals. Lee had a last round of -3 under par, 69 for a tournament total of -19 under par. Nearest man to him was compatriot Ross Fisher, Ross could only muster a last round of -1 under par and finished with a total of -14 under par, alone in second place.

Although it was a steady last round Lee was not too impressed with some missed chances;

“I missed a few short putts on the front nine, had a lot of chances the first ten holes and could have really put some breathing space between me and the field. Having said that when I needed to on the back nine, when they got a bit closer and put me under a bit of pressure, I managed to make a great eagle at 12, good birdie at 15 and pull away. I hit some really solid shots. It didn’t look like I was hitting it close on the last three holes but I can tell you those last three holes I hit it exactly where I wanted to every time.”

This is first Lee’s first European Tour victory since the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship, but is his 22nd European Tour International Schedule victory in his 408th European Tour event and keeps him in third spot in the World Golf Rankings, behind Rory McIlroy and number one Luke Donald.

Ross Fisher’s brave challenge really went awry when he found water at the 13th and double bogeyed that hole. The Ryder Cup star recovered brilliantly with a hattrick of birdies from the 15th giving him a 71 and solo second place on 14 under par.

The host country, Sweden ,saw their chance winning the trophy for third time in a row disappear, when Peter Hanson ran up a double bogey seven on the back nine at the 15th, and finished his final round at -1 under par, 71. This score saw him finish in a tie for third on -13 under par with Mikko Ilonen from Finland and Sergio Garcia of Spain.

Westwood still in control in Sweden @ Nordea Masters

Lee Westwood (Getty Images)

Lee Westwood is still in control in Sweden at the Nordea Masters after the conclusion of the third round at the  Bro Hof Slott GC.  Lee retained his three shot lead after recording a -4 under par third round of 68, for a tournament total of -16 under par. The round did not reach the same classic heights as his stunning second round 64, but it did leave him three clear of fellow Englishman Ross Fisher.  Lee said in interview;

“I played well. I hit a lot of good shots and it was solid stuff. I didn’t get into too much trouble, I had a bit of a flyer on the second and that was the only bogey I made all day.”

Ross Fisher was a happy camper after his beautiful -7 under par third round of 65, and a total for the tournament of -13 under par;

 “I’ve played really nicely, I’m gradually getting better. Hopefully I can continue the trend tomorrow. I’ve gone head to head with Westy a couple of times, he’s a world-class golfer and that’s how we judge our game, against the best players in the world.”

Swedish hopes of a third consecutive home win in this event seemed to have stalled, with Peter Hanson now four shots adrift of the leader after his -3 under par third round of 69. He is the best placed Swede to make a challenge, but he will have to produce something really special to loosen Lee Westwood’s firm grip on this trophy.

Alexander Noren continued with his remarkable recovery from an opening round of 74, carding a second successive 66 to move into fifth on ten under, alongside compatriot Michael Jonzon. Six shots behind an inform Lee Westwood would really seem like an impossible task.

Westy Shines In Stockholm, @ Nordea Masters

Lee Westwood (Getty Images)

Lee Westwood, the Worlds number three golfer, shot an amazing 2nd round score of -8 under par 64, to lead the Nordea Masters by three shots in Stockholm. That is the lowest two round total at the at Bro Hof Slott GC.  Lee started his day on the tenth tee and made the  turn in  five under par 31, then came home in 35, with a bogey 5 at the par 4  14th hole. He spoke about his liking for Sweden;

“I’ve always enjoyed coming to Sweden, obviously winning here for the first time in 1996 gave me an affinity. And then I won again in 2000 when I won the money list so I’ve had a lot of success in Sweden and it’s somewhere I enjoy coming to. I played well, I played nicely yesterday but today I played a little bit better.  I’m getting to know the course a little bit better every day and it was there for the taking this morning. There was not a lot of wind and the greens were pretty pure.  I’m putting the ball well and rolling it nicely on the greens which gives you confidence. I hit it pretty close so I gave myself a lot of chances.”

Peter Hanson, playing partner with Lee Westwood for the round, is three shots back at -9 under par for his two rounds. Peter captured this tile in 2008 and is looking to make it a Swedish hattrick after Richard S Johnson and Alex Noren won the last two stagings.

” I didn’t strike the ball as well as I would have hoped and 68 was a good result.”

Sergio Garcia was charging into contention, he had four birdies in his first 12 holes, but then found water with his second to the par five 13th hole. Having dropped a shot there, the Spaniard bogeyed the 14th as well and eventually signed for a 69 and six under total.