Thomas Björn is looking to take the positives from his tied third place at the BMW PGA Championship as he seeks a sentimental victory in his adopted home country of Sweden in this week’s Nordea Masters.
Björn led by five shots going into the final round at Wentworth Club last week, but could not prevent Rory McIlroy taking the title at The European Tour’s flagship event.
However, the Dane’s fifth top ten finish of the season strengthened his place at the top of The Race to Dubai, and he is focusing on the stunning golf he played in the first round, carding a course record 62, and on Saturday, when he recovered from a difficult start to the third round to post seven birdies on the back nine.
Björn feels his game is therefore in good shape to bounce back from missing out on the title last week, with the 43 year old drawn to play alongside World Number Two Henrik Stenson and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez in the opening two rounds at PGA Sweden National.
“You have to take the good and the bad that comes your way and keep focused,” he said. “I feel comfortable where I am. I went through two tough weeks with the Players and the Spanish Open, then last week the brilliant was the best in my career, and the poor was poor.
“I don’t hide behind what happened last week. That’s the way the game is. I play the game and sometimes you come out on top, and sometimes you don’t. I’m very proud of some of the things I did last week and I’m well aware I could have done some things better on Sunday, but it’s a tough golf course, certainly to play defensively. I had in my mind on Sunday I wanted to get through the first four holes and I did. I don’t know if mentally I switched off after that and thought I could play defensively. These things happen.
“When I analyse the golf, I played the fifth and sixth poor and the rest well. From putting well the first three days, I didn’t putt well on Sunday. It wasn’t to be, but I’m pleased with the improvement I made from the two previous weeks. The way I played on Thursday and Saturday shows I’m on a good track and capable of playing with the best in the world and I will focus on those positives, because that is how I will improve as a golfer.”
As well as those positives, Björn is keen to draw on the inspiration of effectively playing in front of a home crowd this week. The 15-time European Tour winner is expecting some Danish fans to make the short trip over the Öresundsbron bridge to Malmö, while he will also have plenty of Swedish support as his family home is now in Hovås, near Gothenburg.
“I had a really good experience in Stockholm last year (where he finished tied fourth) and I have been playing in this tournament for years,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed it. There are a lot of home fans – a lot of Danes come to watch. I find that inspiring and there will be a lot here this week.
“I’ve made my home in Sweden now and it was probably one of the best decisions we have made as a family. We are very happy and I consider Sweden my home country today in that I live here and my children go to school here. I’ve taken this country to my heart, although I will always be Danish and that is the most important country to me, but I’ve really taken to this country. That’s been important to my golf and to the family. So it will be great to play in front of the Danes that will be here but also my many Swedish friends.”
