Looking ahead: Black Mountain stars on show at Nordea Masters

Five of Black Mountain players will be challenging for top honours at the Nordea Masters which will tee off on Thursday. Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee together with local hopefuls Rikard Karlberg, Johan Edfors, Fredrik Andersson Hed and latest Black Mountain addition Bjorn Hellgren will be hoping to stamp their mark at the European Tour event where Black Mountain Golf Club is the official exhibition partner.

We seize up their title credentials here.

Thongchai Jaidee

The Asian legend is no stranger to success having won 13 titles and three Order of Merits crowns on the Asian Tour. In 2012, the Thai ace enhanced his global reputation by claiming his first title on European soil by winning the Wales Open. He also played a pivotal role in leading Asia to an historic draw with Europe in the recent EurAsia Cup in March. With a place in next month’s U.S Open sealed, do expect Thongchai to put up a performance befitting of his status as one of Asia’s best.

Rikard Karlberg

A two-time winner on the Asian Tour, Karlberg already has two top-five finishes in India and Malaysia this season. He is currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and will be looking forward to a winning performance on home soil

Johan Edfors

Edfors’ best result on the European Tour this season was a tied-seventh finish at the weather-shortened Madeira Islands Open. He is a three-time European Tour winner and also holds two victories on the Challenge Tour. It has been eight years since he last won and it could be timely for the Swede to end his title drought on home soil.

Fredrik Andersson Hed

Fredrik Andersson Hed has had two victories on the Challenge Tour and won his first European Tour title at the BMW Italian Open in 2010 on his 245th attempt. His best year on the European Tour to date has been 2010, when he finished 22nd on the Order of Merit.

Björn Hellgren

Hellgren will be well remembered for his four-shot victory at the Black Mountain Invitational by Nordea held at Black Mountain Golf Club in April. The lanky Swede missed the cut in last year’s edition but with a morale boosting victory at the Black Mountain Golf Club, he could be one of the surprise packages this week.