Alex Noren

[RandallT]

Alex Noren just dropped from #8 to #9 in the world (as John Rahm) leap-frogged him. He's ahead of Fowler, Koepka, Rose- and deservedly so, if you look at the numerical formula, I suppose. The guy has been top 10 since like November of last year.

His recent major performances:

• US Open 2017: MC
• Masters 2017: MC
• PGA 2016: T49
• British Open 2016: T46
• US Open 2016: MC

Obviously, the justification for his ranking is that he's playing so well in other tournaments, as I see 5 victories in other tournaments from mid-2016 til today. Plus a bunch of other top finishes to go along with those.

Interestingly, he had been a top 50ish player for many years, but has gone on a tear in non-majors since 2016.

(http://www.owgr.com/en/Ranking/PlayerProfile.aspx?playerID=10419)

Below is a nice profile of him in the NY Times. Sounds like he's been an incredibly hard worker over the years, but the birth of a daughter and injuries has led to him to focus more on playing tournaments and practice less.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/sports/golf/alex-noren-the-worlds-most-unknown-top-player.html

Quote

“I used to practice all the hours of the day because if I didn’t, I felt like I had left something out there,” he said.

But the injuries forced him to change his ways, and the birth last year of his daughter, Iris, changed his outlook. “Fatherhood gave me something extra in life,” Noren said.

He no longer could spend every waking hour on golf, and he found it made him less focused on his play and more focused on the course. He won the Scottish Open in July, the European Masters in September, the British Masters in October and the Nedbank Golf Challenge in November.

Read more  

Maybe he's the anti-Hunter Mahan, whose career took a hit after injuries and family life, but interestingly is mentioned in this piece: http://heavy.com/sports/2017/06/jennifer-kovacs-alex-norens-fiancee-wife-girlfriend-baby-iris/

Quote

Noren turned pro in 2005, and has developed a reputation for his incredible work ethic. Speaking to Golf Digest recently about Noren’s time at Oklahoma State, which they attended together, Hunter Mahan said, “He did everything 100 percent. Workouts, school, practice—incredible work ethic and great resilience and patience.”

So anybody here a fan? I know we've got a big Joost Luiten following. Maybe a Noren contingent?? Certainly some of our European TST members have some Noren stories to share to enlighten us as to what kind of guy he is. 

[JetFan1983]

Yea, he's been a classic "arbitrage" play if you will on Draftkings for quite some time, consistently being priced in the high 6000 range when his world rank exceeds like 96% of the field (top priced guys are in the 10000-12000 range). His form's dropped off, but he was useful for a time, consistently registering low ownership percentages. 

[ChrisP]

He's been a strong player in Europe but hasn't really done it on the big stage yet. I don't think he's ever really contended in a major nor has he won over in the States. So that has to be the next two things on his bucket list to get his name out there more.

That being said, I do think he will contend at the British next week. The course suits him well and he's due to finally show his game in a major. If memory serves me right, he was in the hunt last time at Birkdale until the last round. But I picked him in my 5-man pool so I'm hoping he does well.

Edited July 12, 2017 by ChrisP

[David in FL]

I have to admit, I didn't even recognize the name in the thread title....  

[Valleygolfer]

I think @Silent is the only serious Luiten fan.

[David in FL]

9 hours ago, Valleygolfer said:

I think @Silent is the only serious Luiten fan.

I think @Silent might be Luiten!  

[MacDutch]

3 hours ago, David in FL said:

I think @Silent might be Luiten!  

He'd wish he was.

But of course (and on course) I am also a Luiten fan.

Noren is a big name in Europe.

[David in FL]

22 minutes ago, MacDutch said:

He'd wish he was.

But of course (and on course) I am also a Luiten fan.

Noren is a big name in Europe.

Joost, rhymes with toast....  

[Jeremie Boop]

3 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Joost, rhymes with toast....  

I always read it as "juiced"

[David in FL]

Just now, Jeremie Boop said:

I always read it as "juiced"

@MacDutch corrected my pronunciation last year.  I haven't forgotten.

BTW, Luiten rhymes with "loud"-ten...

The only other Dutch that I learned from them can't be repeated on a family friendly forum such as this!  

[Silent]

On ‎12‎-‎7‎-‎2017 at 5:28 AM, Valleygolfer said:

I think @Silent is the only serious Luiten fan.

Still here, just have been very busy the last few months (my second son was born, and we bought a new house and just moving in now).

OT: Alex Noren has been playing very good in the last 1,5 year or so. Couple of victories and some other good results in big tournaments. Very impressive play, unlike *cough* Luiten this year.

[mvmac]

Noren and Mac