Jonathan Caldwell Wins First European Tour Title At The Scandinavian Mixed

Jonathan Caldwell claimed his maiden European Tour victory at the ground-breaking Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik & Annika after the Northern Irishman produced a stunning birdie at the last to overcome the challenges of Adrian Otaegui and Alice Hewson.

It was a fitting finish to the co-sanctioned European Tour and Ladies European Tour event as Englishwoman Hewson had an opportunity coming down the stretch to force a playoff with her male counter-part Caldwell.

The 37-year-old Caldwell had set the clubhouse target at 17 under after equalling the best round of the week with an eight under 64 – also the best round of the final day – which was rounded off in style thanks to a remarkable second shot from the rough for a tap-in closing birdie.

Watch Caldwell’s winning birdie – 

Spain’s Adrian Oteagui had an opportunity to clinch the title at the death after giving himself a birdie opportunity at the 72^nd hole for an 18 under total, but his three-putt meant Hewson was the last person standing with a chance to force extra holes.

The 23-year-old had to hole out with her approach at the 18^th to do so but a par four for a three-under 69 meant she still claimed the honour of the highest-placed Ladies European Tour player, in outright third one stroke behind runner-up Otaegui.

For Caldwell, who partnered Rory McIlroy while representing Great Britain and Ireland at the 2007 Walker Cup as an amateur, it is a life-changing victory having struggled to make his mark on the professional game for 13 years and even working part-time in a golf store named Nevada Bobs whilst playing on the EuroPro Tour.

He became just the eighth Northern Irishman to win on the European Tour, rising to 43^rd in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex in the process.

“My immediate feelings are probably a bit of disbelief if I’m to be honest, it’s been a dream of mine for quite a long time obviously,” he said.

“A lot of hard work goes into it so it hasn’t quite sunk in yet but hopefully more to come.

“In 2009 I played my first year, lost my card, played mini tours and Challenge Tour down the years, worked as well in a local golf store so it’s been a long road. But finally I’m here.

“I missed a short putt at 17 and didn’t know where I stood at that point and I said to my caddie let’s make birdie down the last. I hit a pretty poor tee shot and got away with a good lie and somehow managed to get it up to two feet and make the putt.

“It’s been a tremendous week, what they’ve don’t this week is fantastic. I hope we have more weeks like this, the golf course was tremendous, I played with some great girls this week. I got a fist pump from Annika when I came off the 18^th green which was pretty incredible – probably the greatest ever women’s golfer so that was pretty special.

“The golf club at home will probably be going bonkers so put a tab on guys and go bonkers. My parents have been with me the whole way so I’m looking forward to talking to them tonight.”