alex noren golfer on the move

• 4

  Sunday thoughts.

  2010-10-10
  Sitting in a Quality in Hotel somewhere close to Prestwick Airport. Me, Edfors, Ilonen and Johansson are extremely tired after a long day out in the wind at St:Andrews. We had a great day though! Ilonen shot 2 under 70 today to finish on 3 under total and a 29th place finish. I shot 70 and finished 17th and Edfors a 70 to finish 11th. 
  
  We got a lot of good points on the "Race to Dubai" rankings.
  
  My game felt pretty good all week. Playing two rounds in a row at St:Andrews is always giving you a little headache. I haven't played a normal shot the last two days. The wind was across on every single hole. Right to left on the way out (front nine) and left to right on the way in (back nine). So, it was either a hold up fade or a draw all day. 17th played tricky as always. I had a nine iron left and didn't even aim for the green. Short right will give me a good enough line to try to two-putt from.
  
  I have to really recognize my fan club for the week. Team "Pontus' family". They have been true four days in a row in seriously bad weather. Wolley hats on and clapping for me with their gloves on. Thanks a million! You kept my head up!
  
  
  
  From left to right: Pontus, Jonny (Pontus' dad), Tina (Lindha's mom), Annelie (Pontus' mom), Lindha (Pontus' girlfriend) and me.
  
  Faro, Portugal tomorrow. The heat is very welcomed.
   
  We'll start out the week hard in the weight room...
  
  
  
  
  
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• 13

  69 at St:Andrews

  2010-10-09
  Nice saturday.
  
  1. 69 at St:Andrews. Fun. Lying in 22nd place at 4 under par with one more round. 
  2. Gym was closed. No fun.
  3. 2 hours Ping-Pong. Great.
  4. Beef for dinner. Good.
  5. Solsidan before sleep. Great.
  
  Pictures.
  
   
  
  Outside our house in Lower Largo.
   
  
  Leven Links first hole. I've got good memories from here. Shot a course record 61 here in 2000 when the Swedish national team used to go here to play Amatuer Gold Medal. I was so happy.
  
   
  Beef for dinner.
  
  
   
  Pre-ping-pong drink.
  
   
  Finish style chilling.
  
  9.58 tee time tomorrow at St:Andrews. Excited. 
  
  
   
  
  
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• 11

  Kingsbarns

  2010-10-08
  Different day, different weather.
  
  
  
  
  
  Kingsbarns GC showed us a face I haven't seen before. Windy and cold and the wind came from a pretty strange direction. The whole course played weird and tough. Me and Pontus was totally worn out after finishing. So happy to have Pontus on my bag. He never looks down and always pumps me up. 
  
  Came in with a 71, 1 under par. I'm pleased. From our group, who have now played Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, the best score is 4 under par. So, we hope for a good score at St:Andrews tomorrow.
  
  
  
  Nice to sit down after a long day. And especially nice to take off the golf shoes. I've gona back to really firm Classics shoes and spikes underneath to get the best grip and stability. 
  
  
  
  Just beat Fasth in a ping-pong match. That's easily the highlight of today. He said he's actually practicing ping-pong, so I'm on a serious high right now.
  
   Want to go to sleep right now but Missan cooks way to good to miss out on dinner.
  
  
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• 5

  Carnoustie was awesome.

  2010-10-07
  On the way to Carnoustie. This is the best possible sight you can have on the way there. Carnoustie is tough so you need good weather. 
  
  
  
  Such a nice round today. Played nicely and shot even par. As Fredde Shiller would have said: "A 72 at Carnoustie is always a 72 at Carnoustie". I'm not close to the lead but I'm happy with my game and I got Carnoustie over and done with. Kingsbarns tomorrow and St:Andrews on saturday. 
  
  
  
  On the way back from the course.
  
  
  
  Missan in action. 
  
  
  
  Alvaro Quiros in action.
  
  
  
  Our big play room this week.
  
  
  
  Me and Pierre's room for the week.
  
  Dinner now. Sleep after.
  
  
  
  
  
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• 9

  Day 2 Edfors vs. Noren

  2010-10-06
  Carnoustie is today's battle field. Cold but less windy than yesterday. I'm feeling sore from yesterday's tough workout. Edfors is too. He admits it before I do. That's never happened before. I feel good about today. After a good practice session on the green, a few hits on the range, a cortado and a bacon sandwich it's time.
  
  John Daly is on the tee as well and he's one of the nicest guys I've met. Always friendly and happy. After Edfors hits his drive in the right hand bunker I go down a club, feel nervous about being judged by Daly and hit my 3 wood short of it. An ok shot. Daly probably wondered what the hell was I thinking not hitting a driver. I reply him in my mind that Edfors is in the bunker. I need to get up in this match early. Links golf is all about avoiding bunkers. They are deep. 
  
  
  
  A focus Edfors on the second.
  
  
  
  Hole 6, par 5,  with  "Hogan's alley" plack on the tee. He's a legend.
  
  
  
  Just had to try the same shot he hit.
  
  
  
  And I did it. Best feeling so far this week.
  
  
  
  The dog is impressed.
  
  Edfors putting is unreal and he is two up after nine. He shortens the match by two holes because he thinks the game ahead is too slow. A classic cheating by Edfors but I hate slow play so I agree. 
  
  I eagled the 14th but Edfors birdeis the 15th and keeps going on to a 2/1 victory. I'm gutted. Hate loosing to him. 
  
  Had to cheer myself up with a walk through the clubhouse hallway where they had a lot of Hogan pictures.
  
  
  
  
  
  He put in an extra spike.
  
  Slow run with the boys in the evening and tomorrow is the real tournament start. Carnoustie for me and Pontus and I can't wait. It's a little bit like waking up to Christmas.  
  
  
   
  
  
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