Sweden’s Alex Noren gave the home crowds plenty to cheer at the Nordea Masters as he joined compatriot Robert Karlsson and South African Jaco Van Zyl in a share of the clubhouse lead midway through the opening round.
The 29 year old, who won his second European Tour title in Wales earlier this year, raced out of the blocks with five birdies in his first six holes after starting on the tenth.
The notoriously long and challenging Bro Hof Slott course briefly interrupted Noren’s progress when he double bogeyed the second and dropped another shot two holes later, but a birdie at the fifth and closing gains on the eighth and ninth gave him a five under par 67.
“It was great, the first few holes were unbelievable,” said Noren. “It felt so much easier than it has ever felt, then it got really tough on the front nine.
“I was really nervous going into today - in front of all your family and friends and they want to see if you can play or if you’re out there because your lucky. It was really fun. It’s a great start and in this weather it was pretty tough.”
Karlsson may be a familiar name on European Tour leaderboards - but on this occasion it was a 22 year old amateur rather than the former European Number One and Ryder Cup star enjoying the limelight.
Playing only his second European Tour event, Karlsson recorded six birdies before a double bogey at the penultimate hole threatened to spoil his day.
But the youngster responded in style by birdieing the 18th, with his namesake amongst the afternoon starters.
“That was a great start to the tournament, obviously,” said Karlsson. “Ever since I qualified on Monday, I’ve been trying to really enjoy this experience. It’s hard not to smile.”
Qualifying School graduate Van Zyl was second in Morocco earlier this year and six birdies with a solitary dropped shot put him in contention for a first win.
“It was good. Really tough conditions, very good golf course,” he said.
England’s John Parry was a shot off the pace following a four under 68, with Felipe Aguilar, Anthony Wall and Kristoffer Broberg on three under in the clubhouse.
On the course Fredrik Henge and Scott Hend both made good starts to be three under through eight holes.
