2024 RBC Canadian Open: Top 10 power rankings at Hamilton

Even the most hardcore golf fans are likely unaware that Alex Noren is in the top five on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total. The 41-year-old Swede has still yet to win on the PGA Tour, but it appears he’s found the fountain of youth in his quest to get it done at long last.

Noren is fourth in SG: Total (1.382), sitting only behind Scottie Scheffler (2.842), Xander Schauffele (2.265) and Rory McIlroy (1.547). That’s pretty good company to join.

How is he doing this?

For starters, Noren nary has had a poor showing in 2024. He’s made all 11 cuts with 10 top-50s, nine top-30s, and two top-10s (with a T-11th, to boot).

Noren’s high water mark came three starts ago at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he was solo third and two off the winning pace.

Noren isn’t just cleaning up at lower-tier events. He finished T-19th at the Players Championship and T-12th in his last start at the PGA Championship. He ended the week on a high note with a 6-under 65. He credited a putter switch in aiding his turnaround.

That, and great ball striking, allowed a short hitter like him to post a respectable finish at a brawny layout like Valhalla.

“I've never hit it this good on the weekend and throughout a tournament,” Noren was transcribed by ASAP Sports, “and I showed to myself this weekend that I can compete up here.”

Hamilton should be more of Noren’s speed. He was here in 2019, carding 67-71-73-71 to take T-63rd.

Noren is fifth this season on the PGA Tour in SG: Around-the-Green (.504) and eighth in SG: Tee-to-Green (1.251).