Johan Edfors is pain-free and looking to use next week’s inaugural Shankai Classic presented by IDG Capital Partners as a launch pad for a strong finish to his European Challenge Tour season.
The 38 year old Swede, a three-time European Tour winner, has suffered over the past two years with a shoulder injury and sciatic nerve damage, but believes he has what it takes to claim his first victory since the Asian Tour’s 2009 Black Mountain Masters.
“I had to play for a long time on painkillers, but it’s getting a lot better,” said Edfors, who finished in 10th spot on the European Tour’s Order of Merit in 2006 after claiming three titles in a sizzling season. “I’ve been pain-free for about two months now, which has allowed me to practice a lot more. I’m feeling good and am really looking forward to the week ahead in Chongqing.”
Edfors, who currently lies 59th on the Challenge Tour rankings, says his game is coming around and although he admits he still has work to do, always relishes the opportunity to play in China, where he has many happy memories.
“I always enjoy playing in China,” says the long-hitting Edfors, who has a season-best finish of tied seventh at the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI in May. “The TCL Classic (which was staged on the Chinese resort island of Hainan) was my first European Tour win and the courses we play are always really good and the events are always well organized. I’m sure next week will be the same. It’s going to be great to be back.”
The US$350,000 Shankai Classic presented by IDG Capital Partners will be staged from October 16-19 at Chongqing Poly Golf Club and will feature a strong field of Challenge Tour professionals and local Chinese talent.
Those expected to feature prominently include Korea’s Byeong-hun An, currently fourth in the Challenge Tour rankings, as well as rising star Matthew Fitzpatrick, the 2013 US Amateur champion who turned pro in the summer.
Edfors will also star alongside these relative young guns, and as one of the more experienced campaigners on the circuit, added that he has been inspired by Oliver Wilson’s win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland last weekend.
Wilson, who had been experiencing a lackluster season on the Challenge Tour, received an invite to play at St Andrews and ended up recording his maiden European Tour victory, and with it a cheque for over €625,000.
“I’ve played a lot with Oli over the years and I was very happy to see him back where he belongs,” said Edfors. “Golf is a funny game – a lot can change in the course of a week – but his win is definitely inspiring to me and could be the kick up the back side that I need.”
