Alex Noren clinches ‘biggest win of career’

• Alex Noren claims Scottish Open title at Castle Stuart
• The Swede edged out Tyrrell Hatton to win by one shot
• “I doubted myself so many times – it doesn’t feel real”

Alex Noren clinched his fifth European Tour title and the ‘biggest of his career’ at Castle Stuart – while Richie Ramsay booked his place in this week’s Open Championship after a fantastic final round.

The Swede, who also led after round two and three, kept his nose in front for the majority of a damp final day in the Highlands – although he was briefly joined by Kiwi Danny Lee after a bogey at the eighth hole.

But a vital birdie on the 14th gave him that all-important two-shot advantage, which was only narrowed to one on the final hole after Tyrrell Hatton made birdie to finish alone in second.

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“It’s the biggest win of my career for sure,” said Alex Noren. “It was pretty tough out there. I doubted myself so many times during the round and when you come out on top, it doesn’t feel real.

“It got a little bit frustrating from holes five to 11 – I’d hoped to make a couple of birdies but it just didn’t happen – and there was a ‘must birdie’ I made on 12 and after that it felt pretty nice.”

Ramsay, meanwhile, was over the moon to be heading to Royal Troon – although it did prevent him from spending the week with newborn daughter.

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“It’s huge,” he said. “I’ve played it three times before. I don’t think I’ve done myself justice, but this time we have our little daughter to take along. I think she’ll enjoy her first major. It’s more of a treat for her.

“I just played lovely today and the thing was, I took time to enjoy it. Sometimes when you’re in that moment, you forget. Doesn’t come along that often. Especially Scottish Open where I haven’t played so well, and I just loved it. I loved the atmosphere out there and obviously holing a nice putt on 16, there’s a few cheers and a lovely par save on 17. That’s what we live for.

“I’ll remember that, when it’s cold and windy in December and I’m practising, and that’s what you use to fire you up for practice when things aren’t going so well.”

Hatton, Nicolas Colsaerts and Matteo Manassero were the other three players to book their place at Royal Troon this week, while home favourite Russell Knox gave fans something to cheer a fine five-under-par final round saw him rocket up the leaderboard into a tie for tenth.

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Alex Noren :: Scottish Open winner

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