Korhonen Aiming to be a Big Noise in Finland

 Mikko Korhonen, a rock music fan from the land of Eurovision Song Contest winners, Lordi, aims to become the next big noise to emerge from Finland after grabbing a share of the first round lead in the Thomas Björn Open at Horsens GK in Denmark.

The 25 year old European Challenge Tour rookie from Helsinki birdied four of the last seven holes to move into a tie for the lead with Manchester-based South African, Michiel Bothma, and Sweden’s Raimo Sjöberg on 68, four under par.

Korhonen, who played on the Nordic Tour last year after turning professional, admitted he was just finding his feet on the Challenge Tour. He said: “This is a big step up in class and I am enjoying the experience. Now I want to start getting consistency in my game.”

Bothma only recently returned to Europe after wintering in his native South Africa, where he played well and made the cut in both the dunhill championship and the South African Airways Open on The European Tour International Schedule.

Last week he played in the Morson International Pro-Am Challenge in his adopted city of Manchester, finishing tied for 38^th, and explained his allegiance to the North-West of England.

“I am close to a few of the guys on The European Tour like Richard Sterne, Charl Schwartzel and also Darren Fichardt, who is married to my cousin. It seemed obvious to make a base where my friends were, but now I could use some travelling companions as well, so my main goal this year is to join them on The European Tour.

“Last year I only made four cuts from ten starts on the Challenge Tour, which isn’t good enough, and now that I am back in Europe I want to give it a real go this season and see if I can be playing with Richard, Charl and Darren this time next year.”

Meanwhile Sjöberg, who has been trying without success to graduate to The European Tour for the past 15 years, is ready to try his luck again on the Challenge Tour after two years in which he didn’t compete seriously.

“Sadly, my mum passed away and I wasn’t ready to give the Tour my full concentration” said the Swede, who birdied five of the last ten holes. “However I won on the Danish Tour recently and felt ready to give it a go again at the age of 35. Why not? I am mentally stronger now, whereas in my young days I think I tried too hard to get that card. This time, I will relax and see what happens.”