Swedish world number 10 Alexander Noren will be up against a star cast of golfers when the 20th Anniversary edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters tees off at Doha Golf Club Course tomorrow.
Noren, 34, showed outstanding form last year, coming a long way, winning four times on the European Tour in 2016 to vault from 122nd in the world during the 2015 season to No. 9 at the end of 2016.
Addressing the media during a press conference held in Doha yesterday, Noren said that things are getting better and better between him and his coach.
"I've been working with my coach for about three years now, and it's getting better and better, and a little bit more understanding of my swing than always trying to change it, instead of, you know, maybe I know how it's looking maybe at the beginning of the week. I know I'll try these shots and maybe don't try these shots or I'm working on this. So when it looks like this, I try to do this; so it's a little bit more understanding and a little bit less wondering and trying new things here or there," Noren said.
"And then obviously, the turning point I think when I played Oakmont, I missed the cut there, but I thought it was now seeing what a tough, unbelievable golf course can look like. And I came to France, and I've always had trouble in France and I came, and I'm like, this is easier than the last time I was in France, because I had just witnessed huge Oakmont. So I finished eighth in France, and then coming in, that kind of kicked on; won Scottish the week after," said the Swede.
"So I think it's just, you know, a few things like this. The coach, and the first win; I kind of held on when I didn't play maybe great at the end of the last round and won by one in the end, and that gives you a lot of confidence," Noren said.
Noren comes into the Doha event as the leading player in the field by ranking and also having done quite well at the Doha Course in the past.
Commenting on his ambitions in Qatar afeter his performances at last week's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Noren said: "I thought it felt a little rusty coming into last week, and then I finished up with a decent finish, which boosted me a little. Because I tried to work on a lot of things over the winter and maybe it didn't work as well as I thought and I didn't feel as good as I wanted coming into the season. But then a decent finish gives you a little bit of a confidence boost. It feels quite good right now. My expectations are not dramatically different from the last few years. I'm trying to work my way -- just work on a daily basis with my caddie and my coach and improve, and not try to build up expectations. Just really be realistic about my game. This is what my game looks like, instead of thinking I'm 10th in the world.
