Simon Forsstrom will use his extensive knowledge of Katrineholms GK when he tees it up in the Swedish Challenge hosted by Robert Karlsson on the European Challenge Tour.
The Challenge Tour rookie secured an emphatic maiden win at the KPMG Trophy in Belgium, making an eagle at the 17th during his final round to rise up the leaderboard and claim a stunning two-shot victory.
The 27 year old earned his card for the 2016 Road to Oman campaign after finishing in the top five of the satellite Nordic Golf League last season.
And the Swede believes he can use his previous experience of competing at Katrineholms GK to mount a title challenge in his homeland this week.
“I have found it to be a lot of fun on the Challenge Tour,” he said. “It has been great to play at a higher level and I believe that my game has benefitted as a result.
“I feel that the Nordic Golf League prepared me very well. If you finish in the top five on a satellite tour then you have had to compete hard to get there.
“The Nordic Golf League was a lot different as you have to deal with a lot of wind here in Sweden. It is a bit easier to play on the Challenge Tour at times because of the conditions – but you have to go a lot lower.
“You won’t win unless you get to 20 under which is a big change for me. Last year because of the conditions you needed to reach around 10 under to win.
“I have played here at least five times – as they used to hold a junior competition at this course – plus it was an event on the Swedish Tour for at least four years, which I played in every time.
“I feel that I know exactly where I need to hit the ball after playing here so often so I think that will be a huge benefit for me this week.”
Forsstrom, who currently sits in 21st place in the Challenge Tour Rankings, admits that his plan for the season has changed following his victory and a series of impressive performances.
“Now a place in the top 15 is my main goal,” he said. “At first it was to finish in the top 70 so that I can play again next year, but I have started making new targets after winning in Belgium.
“When you see another Swede win you want to be as good as them, so I think that everyone plays better as result when your friends do well.”
Joining Forsstrom at Katrineholms GK will be fellow countrymen and 2016 Road to Oman champions Sebastian Soderberg and Alexander Björk, who won in Kenya and France respectively this year.
Robert Karlsson, the 11-time European Tour champion and European Number One in 2008, will also be competing this week at his home course, which will host a Challenge Tour event for the first time.
