Home favourite and World Number Four Henrik Stenson will make his first appearance on European soil this season when he tees off in the first round of the Nordea Masters alongside defending champion Thongchai Jaidee and last week’s winner Soren Kjeldsen at 0800 from the tenth tee on Thursday.
Kjeldsen ended a six-year title drought at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Royal County Down last week, and the Dane will hope to continue that form on the links-style course at PGA Sweden National.
Two-time former champion Mikko Ilonen of Finland begins his quest for a hat-trick of titles at 0750 from the tenth, in the company of recent Open de España winner James Morrison and Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
The trio of Swede Alex Noren, Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez and Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn – teeing off from the first at 1300 – is certain to draw the crowds, while another popular Swede, Robert Karlsson, is off at 0810 alongside young Dane Thorbjørn Olesen and flamboyant Frenchman Alex Levy.
Stephen Gallacher, a team-mate of Stenson and Bjørn in last year’s Ryder Cup is off at 1250 from the first with Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Dutchman Joost Luiten for company.
Those wanting to watch long hitting should pay attention to the group containing renowned bombers Nicolas Colsaerts and Alvaro Quiros, who are off the first at 1330 alongside Alejandro Cañizares.
