Edfors back on the European Tour with win in China

Sweden’s Johan Edfors made a triumphant return to China when he broke free of the chasing pack by going on a birdie sprint in his last four holes to win the Shankai Classic presented by IDG. It was the Black Mountain player’s first victory since 2006 and it couldn’t come at a more befitting venue than China as it was in the Middle Kingdom that saw him win the first of three European Tour titles that year.

Edfors posted a blemish free round of six-under-par 66 to signal his return to form after a season plagued by injury.

It was also an emotional victory which the 39-year-old dedicated to his late father.

Here’s what he said in his victory speech.

“To be honest, I don’t think I have ever been as nervous as I was today, especially at the beginning of the front nine. It’s a lot easier to win on the European Tour than out here as there’s so much at stake, and a win here almost gets you straight back on The European Tour, so I had to do something special out there on the back nine.

I took the decision in late July to play Challenge Tour for the rest of the year, because I hadn’t performed well on my European Tour invites, and it was tough to plan anything without a full card.

It was really tough for my family because I wasn’t able to make any plans, so I decided in the summer to focus on the Challenge Tour and it looks like it has paid off.

It’s been a tough couple of years for me, but I’ve been able to pick my game up and it feels fantastic. I was really close to quitting after last year, as I didn’t enjoy myself at all and was having to play through injury, so it is a very emotional win this week.

Before my Dad passed away earlier this year I promised him I’d make it back, and now I am back.”