Having already left an indelible mark on the history of the Nordea Masters, Lee Westwood will attempt to break more records at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club this week when he bids to become the first player to win the tournament for a fourth time.
The Englishman made his European Tour breakthrough in the Nordea Masters as a fresh-faced 23 year old in 1996 – the first of three victories achieved in the event in different decades.
His subsequent triumphs in 2000 and 2012, at Kungsangen Golf Club and Bro Hof Slott respectively, drew Westwood level with Colin Montgomerie, who took the title in 1991, 1999 and 2001.
His attempt to overtake the Scot has been bolstered by some highly encouraging recent displays, with a joint runner-up finish in the Masters Tournament followed by a top ten in last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and Westwood will be keen to continue that rich vein of form when he returns to a happy hunting ground.
Westwood said: “I’m looking forward to going back. The Nordea Masters was the last tournament I won in Europe. I’ve won it three times in three different decades, so it’s one of my most successful tournaments and it’d be lovely to win it a fourth time.
“The tournament has got a lot of special memories for me. I got my first win in Gothenburg in 1996, after a play-off with Paul Broadhurst and Russell Claydon, and then I won again in Stockholm in 2000 and 2012. The tournament has been very good to me and I’ve got a great record, so hopefully I can keep the run going next week.”
On his last, and indeed only, visit to Bro Hof Slott, Westwood blitzed the field to win by five shots from his compatriot Ross Fisher.
The 43 year old will be able to draw on those fond memories when he returns to the Swedish capital for the first time since claiming his 22nd Tour title.
He said: “I’ve only been there once and won, so I’ve got a 100 per cent record to maintain. It’s in a great spot on the side of the lake with some lovely scenery, so it’ll be nice to go back. They have a very good variation of holes, and it’s an exciting finish.
“You have the island green on the 17th which throws up a bit of interest and the 18th is a strong par four with water all the way down the right hand side, so you normally get some drama. It’s a great course and a very well-run tournament, so it should be a good week.”
