STOCKHOLM - Alexander Noren of Sweden relied on his huge overnight lead to clinch the Nordea Masters title on Sunday, finishing seven shots clear despite a disappointing 5-over 77 in the final round.
Noren entered the day with an 11-shot lead after a course-record 63 on Saturday, and was never threatened despite some shaky play. The Swede started and finished his round with a birdie but had five bogeys and a double-bogey in between.
That meant little, however, as most other players also struggled in tough conditions at the Bro Hof Slott course. Richard Finch, who finished second, was the only player to break par in the final round with a 69.
Niklas Lemke of Sweden was third, another three shots behind after a 73.
"I am so relieved," said Noren. "I've never seen wind like this in Sweden. Every hole was super tough and even downwind it was hard to choose the clubs."
Finch's round would have been even more impressive had he not found the water on that 17th hole. He settled for a triple-bogey, which took some of the shine off his 70-foot putt for birdie on the 16th.
"For 17 holes, it's the best round of golf I've ever played," Finch said. "The course is tough enough as it is without however many mile-an-hour winds it is blowing. It's the same for everyone so you just have to try and put your best foot forward, so I just tried to hit the fairway, hit the green, and see where we can get from there."
American Dustin Johnson closed with a 74 to finish in a tie for sixth along with fellow long hitter Bubba Watson, who started the day in second place but stumbled to a final round 78.