Wentworth - British Open title holder Henrik Stenson
believes new BMW PGA Championship winner Alexander Noren has all the
credentials to become the second Swede to triumph in a men's major.
Stenson, who achieved his first victory in a 'Big Four'
tournament when he edged out American Phil Mickelson in a thrilling duel at
Royal Troon last July, said his compatriot's extraordinary triumph at Wentworth
on Sunday was fully deserved.
Noren started the final round seven strokes off the pace but
bulldozed his way through the pack with a closing 10-under 62, a record for the
revamped course.
"It would be hard not to say that you can't see a major
for him in the future if he keeps on playing like that," Stenson told
reporters after he ended in a share of third spot, three strokes behind the
winner.
"He's played a bit more in America. That's a bit of a
learning experience, to take the game across the Atlantic and get familiar with
the courses over there. He's making progress, and yeah, he's had a very
impressive year."
World number 13 Noren could move as high as eighth in the
rankings after a remarkable run of form that has seen him win five times in his
last 17 European Tour appearances.
"He's always been a hard worker," said the
41-year-old Stenson at the conclusion of the $7-million BMW PGA, the tour's
flagship event.
"Sometimes maybe too much, he's got injured a couple of
times over the years in his wrist.
"I think he's kind of found his formula. He's doing the
same thing week in and week out and it's obviously working. He's playing a
pretty strong cut off the tee and his putting has just been phenomenal,"
added Stenson.
Noren said he now felt much more confident with the driver
in his hands.
"I never had a good game off the tee... I was always
quite worried where the ball was heading and I couldn't really play difficult
courses well," said the 34-year-old after his 11-under total gave him a
two-shot win on Sunday.
"That's what I've worked the hardest on, to get the
ball on the fairway a bit more often. That gives me a little bit more calmness
and I can train on the whole game and not worry about sending a few out of
bounds every round."