fbpx
Mikko Ilonen lands Volvo World Match Play title

Mikko Ilonen lands Volvo World Match Play title

Finland's finest beats Henrik Stenson 3&1 in thrilling final at London Club
 

Finland’s Mikko Ilonen upset the odds by beating number one seed Henrik Stenson in a hard-fought final in the Volvo World Match Play.

It was a fifth European Tour victory for Ilonen who beat Holland’s Joost Luiten in the semi-final to set up a showdown with Stenson.

And despite windy conditions at London Golf Club, Illonen made four birdies and no bogey’s to see off the Swede 3&1.

The 650,000 Euro first prize nearly doubles his pay day from his victory at the Irish Open earlier this year.

The Finn admitted he felt comfortable going up against the formidable Stenson.

“I see Henrik as one of the world’s top players obviously but I see him as my friend,” Ilonen said

“He didn’t intimidate me at all. We’ve played so much golf together over the years, so I felt quite comfortable playing with him.

“It could have gone either way really. I had a better afternoon than he did. Tomorrow morning we play, it might go the other way. 

“But we were obviously playing for the trophy as hard as we could, and I came out on top.”

“Obviously last year was a good for me and 2007 was a good year. I’ve had a few of them but if you look at all the World Rankings and Money List and the tournaments ‑ obviously this is on top.”
Mikko didn’t make any mistakes really and when he did, he recovered well. So all the credit to him for his fine performance this week" The result cements Ilonen’s place in the world’s top 50 which means he can now plan his schedule around the biggest events on the calendar

“It’s been a goal of mine to be in the Top‑50 in the world and to be able to pick and choose your schedule,” he added.

“I’ve been able to play, every now and then, a bigger tournament, a major and now a couple of World events, and now I’d like to build my season around those big events.  And now I’m going to be able to do that.”

Stenson admitted he didn’t play his best in the final but insisted Ilonen was a worthy champion.

“I actually exceeded my expectations for the week for sure already,” Stenson said. 

“And already when Jonas took me to the 18th yesterday, I felt like we were running low on energy. 

“So I don’t know where I found that energy to finish that match off in the morning. So I was quite low on energy in the afternoon. 

“I feel like I’ve been battling my swing a little bit in these gusting conditions the last day and a half. 

“I didn’t play my best. I was a bit unlucky on a couple of putts but no question, Mikko didn’t make any mistakes really and when he did, he recovered well. So all the credit to him for his fine performance this week.” 

In the third/fourth place play-off, Luiten beat George Coetzee on the 19th hole after they were locked at all square.

Wales Open winner Luiten is looking forward to next year’s event after winning five of his six matches.

“It’s a great format and great experience to go all the way to Sunday and I learned a lot again and I’ll be back in the future,” Luiten said.

Latest Posts

dp world tour 2024 schedule

DP World Tour

DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results

Read full article - DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results
liv golf schedule 2024

LIV Golf

LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result

Read full article - LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result
players championship field 2024

News

Players Championship field: Who is playing at TPC Sawgrass?

Read full article - Players Championship field: Who is playing at TPC Sawgrass?
LIV Golf

LIV Golf

How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?

Read full article - How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?
pga championship field

News

World Golf Rankings 2024: Who’s in the top 10?

Read full article - World Golf Rankings 2024: Who’s in the top 10?
LIV Golf

LIV Golf

Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

Read full article - Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?
rory mcilroy talor gooch

News

Rory McIlroy’s advice for Talor Gooch: Be more like Joaquin Niemann!

Read full article - Rory McIlroy’s advice for Talor Gooch: Be more like Joaquin Niemann!
viktor hovland prize money

News

Soulless, comical and sad: Viktor Hovland has a bleak outlook on golf

Read full article - Soulless, comical and sad: Viktor Hovland has a bleak outlook on golf
talor gooch

LIV Golf

‘It’s noteworthy’: Talor Gooch defends controversial Rory McIlroy asterisk claim

Read full article - ‘It’s noteworthy’: Talor Gooch defends controversial Rory McIlroy asterisk claim