The European Tour’s newest champion Jonathan Caldwell wasted little time confirming his intention to contest a maiden ASI Scottish Open after pulling off the ‘best shot of my career’ to win the Scandinavian Masters in Sweden.
The Belfast golfer landed a stunning 142-yard gap wedge shot from light rough right of the 18th, to near tap-in distance for a closing hole birdie in a final round 64 to win by a shot at 18-under par on the Vaddla course outside of Gothenburg.
Caldwell, and who turned 37 last Friday, celebrated a maiden Tour win 14-years after he and fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy were team-mates in the 2007 GB & I Walker Cup team.
And while McIlroy has gone onto to win four majors and 24 other pro career titles, Caldwell struggled so much he found himself working for time at a Nevada Bob’s golf shop in Bangor.
New European Tour winner Jonathan Caldwell with Scandinavian Mixed hosts Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Stenson
It had been an anxious wait for Caldwell as Spain’s Adrian Otaegui needed to complete his round and tied with Caldwell with a hole to play but after birdieing the 18th for two out of three days Otaegui three-putted for a bogey to virtually hand Caldwell the title.
Caldwell was very emotional in singling out his parents for praise and moments after declaring: “The drinks are on me and put them on my tab” in a message to all his friends at his beloved Clandeboye Golf Club outside of Belfast.
After all the uncertainty in his career, Caldwell’s win earned him a two-year European Tour exemption and now virtually being able to pick-and-choose where he wishes to play.
And top of the list is two of the biggest events on the Race to Dubai schedule – next month’s back-to-back Irish Open and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open from July 8th to 11th at the Renaissance Club.
Caldwell said: “I’ve never contested a Scottish Open and now looking forward to it very much.
“I know it’s on a links type course, and I like links golf, so I hope the wind blows a little bit and, if so, I could do okay.
“On the back of the Irish Open, they are two of the biggest events on the European Tour and with The Open the week after, it’s a great chance also to maybe qualify for The Open.
“It’s amazing what a win does for your career opening-up so much doors but for the time being, I’m going to have a few beers and enjoy the victory”.
Scotland’s David Drysdale chance also of a maiden Tour win faded with a one-over par 73 and end the event with a share of 10th at 10-under par.
Richie Ramsay signed for 77 to finish just inside the top-60 at one-under while Dubai-based Scot Alison Muirhead, with a closing 74, was in last place at 11-over par.
