He’s the most popular golfer in Europe proper now, however he’s additionally one of many least well-known.
The truth is, again in the course of April Kristoffer Reitan had by no means completed within the high three on the DP World Tour however just some weeks later he’s performed 4 occasions, successful as soon as and twice ending runner-up.
Much more extraordinary is his back-to-back Sunday scoring.
He received the Soudal Open with a 62 and 7 days later added a 60 within the Austrian Alpine Open.
However who is that this phenomenon?
Golf365 spoke to the 27-year-old Norwegian after his 60 at Intestine Altentann in Salzburg to seek out out extra.
Okay, he’s Norwegian so does he know Viktor Hovland?
Higher than that – the 2 performed collectively in novice golf and stay good associates.
The truth is, Reitan added: “Viktor has helped me go to the States to apply so he’s been a part of the rationale I’ve bought higher.”
What’s Reitan’s background?
He first performed on the DP World Tour in 2019, making seven high 25 finishes. However simply the one high 10 meant that he misplaced his card and in his restricted begins since he confirmed only a few indicators of this explosion of type.
How did he address the lows?
By way of finance, not too dangerous as a result of his household personal Reitan Retail which is a number one firm within the Nordic and Baltic nations. They’re primarily grocery store tycoons.
One among his high 25s in 2019 was at Valderrama and his household are members there. Scandinavian golf journalists say that they fly a personal jet right down to the south of Spain for 18 holes.
Was there a low level?
He may need no monetary considerations however his type was an enormous fear. With virtually no taking part in alternatives in 2022 he thought-about giving up the tour life and beginning a YouTube golf channel.
“I wasn’t having fun with it and making no progress,” he mentioned.
What modified?
In direction of the tip of final 12 months he spoke to his staff and made a change. It prompted a fast end result within the form of victory within the Problem Tour Grand Last and with it commencement to the primary tour.
“I’ve simply been making an attempt to not maintain myself again and let my expertise out a little bit bit,” he mentioned. “That’s what me and my psychologist talked about and it has been working.”
And when did he catch hearth on the primary tour?
By way of the primary 12 begins he had only one high 20 end. He was driving the ball properly, often rating high 20 for Strokes Gained Off the Tee, however not holing putts.
That has all modified in the previous few weeks.
He was second within the Hainan Traditional when rating fifth for Placing.
He had the identical Placing rank when T33 within the Turkish Airways Open and he ranked fourth with the flat stick when second in Austria.
Oddly he was solely twenty eighth for Placing when successful in Belgium.
What about these two shoot-the-lights out Sundays?
Simply extraordinary.
He was T22nd and 9 photographs again of the lead in Belgium. His 62 compelled a three-man play-off which he received.
Then he was T14th and eight again final week earlier than thrashing a 60. He even had a 25-foot eagle putt on the final for a 59.
“I had a very good feeling this morning,” he mentioned afterwards. “The 59 was behind my thoughts a little bit bit however I used to be simply making an attempt to make as many birdies as doable.”
Capturing 62-60 over two Sundays – wonderful!
The DP World Tour mentioned that he would have been the primary golfer to ever win in back-to-back weeks with scores of 62 or higher.
Since 1972 solely 13 gamers had received from eight or extra photographs again with 18 holes to play (0.63% of all occasions).
And Reitan very practically did it back-to-back!
In these 36 holes he made 20 birdies (56%) and one bogey. He was 19-under.
How did he react after the primary win?
“It was troublesome at the beginning of the week,” he admitted. “Type of wanted to reset a little bit bit. I discovered that very troublesome however I needed to be proactive with my psychological methods.
“My objective for this week was to place in a shift it doesn’t matter what the end result was as a result of I figured final week’s win wasn’t going to assist me.
“I didn’t do it completely within the first couple of days, however I improved on the weekend.
“I used to be actually on it right now with the 60. It was a very good feeling.”
What comes subsequent?
He’s wanting ahead to taking part in the identical occasions as his pal Hovland. However he’s additionally cautious.
“That is all nice for confidence however I can’t lean on it and suppose that I don’t have to work onerous any extra. I used to be afraid of considering like that. That’s a possible entice I’m hoping to keep away from.”
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