Åke Nilsson (born 22 May 1982) is a Swedish professional golfer and former European Tour player.[1] As of 2022, he topped the list of most wins on the Nordic Golf League, with 8 victories.
| Åke Nilsson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Born | 22 May 1982 Kristianstad, Sweden | ||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Sporting nationality |  Sweden | ||
| Career | |||
| Turned professional | 2002 | ||
| Former tour(s) | European Tour Challenge Tour Nordic Golf League | ||
| Professional wins | 13 | ||
| Achievements and awards | |||
| |||
Early life
editNilsson was born in Kristianstad and has represented Kristianstad Golf Club.[2] He chose not to follow his two older brothers to America on a golf scholarship, instead staying at home and turning professional in 2002, aged 20.[1]
Professional career
editHe joined the Nordic Golf League in 2002 and the next year won his first tournament, the St Ibb Open, a tournament using a modified Stableford scoring format. In 2008, he won his fourth NGL tournament, the SM Match, and finished second in the rankings to earn promotion to the Challenge Tour, after being mentored by former European Tour player Fredrik Widmark.[3]
In 2009, Nilsson joined the European Tour after finishing tied ninth at the 2008 European Tour Qualifying School, alongside Bernd Wiesberger. In December 2008, he finished tied 14th at the South African Open Championship, with his brother Per on the bag.[3] In 2009, he was tied 17th at the Italian Open, and finished tied 3rd at the Saint-Omer Open in France.[1]
In 2010, he again played well at the Saint-Omer Open, finishing tied 8th. Also in 2010, his wife fell ill and succumbed to cancer, adversely affecting his game. He sat out most of the 2011 season and his game never fully recovered.[4]
After a hiatus, Nilsson again set his sights on Europe.[5] He won two tournaments on the 2017 Nordic Golf League and finished 4th in the rankings, to earn promotion to the Challenge Tour. His best finish on the 2018 Challenge Tour was a tie for 7th place at the Made in Denmark Challenge.[1]
In 2019, he won his 8th Nordic Golf League tournament, the Gamle Fredrikstad Open in Norway.[6][7]
Professional wins (13)
editNordic Golf League wins (8)
edit| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 Jul 2003 | St Ibb Open | Johan Annerfelt, Christian Nilsson
| ||
| 2 | 28 Jul 2005 | Logida Open | −15 (69-63-69=201) | 3 strokes | Lars Johansson,  Erik Stenman Peter Viktor
|
| 3 | 15 Jul 2006 | Salem Open | −11 (66-67-69=202) | 5 strokes | Björn Pettersson
|
| 4 | 22 Aug 2008 | SM Match | 3 and 2 |  Christian Aronsen
| |
| 5 | 17 Mar 2015 | PGA Catalunya Resort Championship | −4 (71-68-70=209) | Playoff |  Martin Ovesen
|
| 6 | 12 May 2017 | Kellers Park Masters | 42 pts (13-21-8=42) | 2 points |  Axel Bóasson
|
| 7 | 4 Aug 2017 | Made in Denmark Qualifier | −8 (67-69=136) | Playoff | Martin Ulseth
|
| 8 | 20 Jun 2019 | Gamle Fredrikstad Open | −14 (68-67-67=202) | 2 strokes | Adam Eineving
|
Other wins (5)
edit- 2008 Lydinge Open
- 2012 Skepparslöv Open
- 2016 Tomelilla Open, Arboga open
- 2019 Skepparlöv Open
Source:[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Player Profile Åke Nilsson". European Tour. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Åke Nilsson på hemmaklubben" (in Swedish). Swedish Golf Federation. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Åke Nilsson redo för eliten" (in Swedish). Norra Skånes Tidningar. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Håll en tumme för Åke idag" (in Swedish). Svensk Golf. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Åke byter miljö – nysatsar mot Europa" (in Swedish). Kristiandstadsbladet. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Seger i Norge för Åke Nilsson" (in Swedish). Swedish Golf Federation. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Åke Nilsson vinnare i Norge" (in Swedish). Kristianstadbladet. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Player Profile Åke Nilsson". Golfdata. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
External links
edit- Åke Nilsson at the European Tour official site
- Åke Nilsson at the Official World Golf Ranking official site
- Åke Nilsson at the Golfdata official site (in Swedish)