Cape Town - Swedish golfer Alex Noren is the consummate professional on the European Tour - and it is taking its toll physically.
The 34-year-old, who has won eight times on the European Tour, is currently participating in the Abu Dhabi Championship in the United Arab Emirates.
After a practice session on Wednesday, the European Tour posted a picture of Noren’s blistered hands.
It showed the hard toil professional golfers go through in the highly competitive sport.
Sore hands aside, Noren played shot a 1-under par 71 in Thursday's opening round, for a share of 39th position.
South African golf fans will remember Noren for winning last year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City.
All we can say is OUCH!
Hard work ??????
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 18, 2017
Photo of @AlexNorenGolf's hands after some intense practicing
(?? via @kristoffer0801) pic.twitter.com/2jrQMeTPfx