– When I do something, I want to be the best I can be. It probably depends on the sporting life, says Andreas Stjernen to news. Among other things, he has won team gold in the Olympics in 2018 and the WC in 2018. But after his jumping career ended in 2019, he has changed his focus. The ski jumps have been replaced with golf clubs, and the ski bow at home on Inderøya in Trøndelag has now been converted into a golf simulator. And we will return to that. Now he has been given a unique opportunity – at the highest European level. – If I make it through the last qualifying round and make it to the European Tour, it will be very high on my merit list, he says. Because in just under two weeks he will fight for a place in the Europatour tournament in Crans Montana, Switzerland. – I am shocked to hear this, says Max’s golf expert Henrik Bjørnstad to news. THE GOLDEN JUMP: Andreas Stjernen was one of four on the Norwegian jumping team that won gold during the Olympics in Pyeongchang in 2018. Photo: NTB Måper av Stjernens tal Stjernen is now one of three selected who on 3 September will fight for a place in the tournament which starts September 5. Only the winner can participate in the tournament. – I meet two golfers who have been playing golf for several years, so I am not a favorite, says Stjernen. – I would say I have a one-third chance, he says with a twinkle in his eye. The former ski jumper has a handicap of +2. Although professional players, such as Viktor Hovland, do not have a handicap, Bjørnstad explains that the pros are estimated to be between +5 and +8. When expert Bjørnstad heard about Stjernen’s handicap, he reacted like this: – Huh? It’s completely wild. There are people who play golf all the time, who never get to talk there. That says a bit about what a sporting talent he is. PRO: Henrik Bjørnstad played on the PGA Tour in 2006 and 2010. Now he works, among other things, as an expert at Max. Photo: NTB – Absolutely ridiculously impressive The star has been playing golf since 2000. For a number of years he has been at the top of the world as a ski jumper, but otherwise much of his time has gone to golf – and family. When the family decided to move to Inderøya a few years ago, a two-hour drive from Trondheim, Stjernen had one requirement: If he was going to move “to the country”, he wanted a golf simulator in the garage. And it has paid off. – It was through a qualification on simulator golf that I got this opportunity. Because it is the three best from that tournament who can now play on the European Tour, he explains. DREAM ROOM: Andreas Stjernen has his own golf simulator installed in the garage. Photo: PRIVATE The players he is going up against in Switzerland have professional status. He meets England’s Josh Oddy and Switzerland’s Fiorino Clerici. The three were the three best in a simulator tournament on the track in Crans Montana with over 1,500 participants from 33 countries worldwide. – It would have been ridiculously impressive if he had managed to qualify, to put it simply. It’s just that he has that level inside. It’s a needle guild, but you never know, says Bjørnstad. Kristian Krogh Johannessen has been a professional player since 2015, and plays on the European Tour. He is a childhood friend of Stjernen, and has played a lot of golf with him over the years. – He has a chance. There will be a lot of coincidence, and that track there is a bit weird. It is at an altitude of 2,000 metres, and the conditions are never perfect. I think it can be an advantage for Stjernen, says Krogh and continues: – The question is whether he has the head for it. That’s what I’m most excited about, says Krogh. – Prefer Olympic gold in golf than jumping The 36-year-old from Trønder has several achievements in the jumping hill in addition to the Olympic and WC gold. Including three NM titles. He has not yet signed up for the NM in golf. – It is difficult to say how he is ranked in Norway, but I guess he is good enough to be in the National Championships. From a handicap perspective, I would think so, without having seen him, says Bjørnstad. – It would have been fun to try to qualify for an NM in the future. I have a family and a job that have to come first, but I play golf when I can, Stjernen tells. – Golf or ski jumping? – Golf. – If I had known what I know now, I would have rather won an Olympic gold in golf than in jumping, he says with a smile. Superstjerne appeared with Løke’s sweater: – Where did he get it from? 00:56 Here it boils over for Northug: – I’m pissed off 00:21 Tearful meeting with the uncle 00:57 Check this celebration: Wild jubilation after overtime scoring 01:00 Show more Published 22/08/2024, at 06.02
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Former Olympic winner Andreas Stjernen can qualify for the European Tour in golf – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
