|
The 34-year-old climbed into the top 10 of the world rankings
for a first time after rallying for a six-stroke victory after a
final-round 63 handed him the Nedbank Golf Challenge title at
the Gary Player Country Club on Sunday.
But in order to finish top of the money list, Noren must finish
in the top two at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, which
starts on Thursday, and then hope the other three contenders are
not among the front runners.
Noren is third on the money list but played down the possibility
of another sensational come-from-behind success after
registering his fourth victory of the season.
"This is out of my mind, I'll just try to play some good golf
next week and we will see what happens," he told reporters
before leaving Sun City.
Compatriot Henrik Stenson is favorite to wrap up the title of
Europe's top golfer with a 299,675-point lead over nearest
rival, English U.S. Masters champion Danny Willet.
Noren is 633,436 adrift of his countryman but if he finishes
first or second and Stenson is outside the top eight and Willet
outside top two, then he can leapfrog them both in the
standings.
Rory McElroy, who skipped the last two European Tour events,
will only retain his status as the top player on the circuit if
he wins in Dubai and Stenson finishes outside the top 45, Willet
outside the top five and Noren outside the top two.
On Sunday, the Northern Irishman said he was more interested in
trying to displace Australian Jason Day at the top of the world
rankings than retaining his order of merit crown.
"I still have a lot to play for this week," the world number two
told Sky Sports. "If I can win I will finish the year as world
number one, so that's a huge incentive."
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by John O'Brien)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
