Man of the moment Henrik Stenson has committed to the 2014 Nordea Masters, which will be played for the first time at PGA of Sweden National, in the Skåne Region, from May 29-June 1.
The World Number Four, who won the Fedex Cup on the US PGA Tour last week, last played in the Nordea Masters in 2011.
The Swede has twice come close to winning the tournament, finishing joint runner-up behind Luke Donald in 2004 and losing out in a play-off to Mark Hensby one year later.
Stenson said: “It will be fantastic to play the Nordea Masters again. It will have been three years since I last played the tournament and I did not play so well in 2011, so I really hope my current form can continue this time.”
Lagardére Scandinavia, who run the ATP and WTA tennis events in Båstad and promote the IF Stockholm Open on the ATP Tour, has taken over the running of the Nordea Masters from Björn Örås, owner of last year’s host venue, Bro Hof Golf Club.
Nordea, Scandinavia’s largest bank, has also signed a three-year extension to its title sponsorship of the tournament. The Nordea Masters will be played at PGA of Sweden National in Bara, near Malmö, for the next two years, before returning to Bro Hof GC in 2016.
“Our ambition is to grow the tournament together with Nordea, and elevate it to the position as one of Europe’s most important golf events. Henrik’s success will inspire a new generation of golfers, and we are very happy that he will play in front of his home fans,” said Thomas Wallén, representative of Lagardére Scandinavia.
Björn Örås said: “We are very satisfied with the development of the event the last few years, and I look forward to seeing Lagardére bring its vision into reality. I am also delighted that Bro Hof will host the event in 2016.”
Ove Sellberg, CEO of PGA of Sweden National, said: “We are proud and happy that the Nordea Masters will be played at the PGA of Sweden National in 2014 and 2015. Henrik Stenson coming home to Sweden to play is the icing on the cake, and will mean a lot to golf fans across Sweden and particularly the region of Skåne. It could not be better.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “It is tremendous for the tournament that Nordea has extended its title sponsorship for three years, and superb news that Henrik has committed to play. Henrik is a true ambassador for The European Tour and golf in general, and his recent return to the upper echelons of the World Ranking has been one of the most heart-warming stories of this, or indeed any other season.
“I would like to thank Björn Örås for his stewardship of the event, and we look forward to working closely with Lagardére Scandinavia in the coming years. I’m sure the PGA of Sweden National will prove a very worthy host venue, and will serve to enhance what is already a hugely popular and successful tournament.”
