Bengtsson hopes for Swede smell of success in Powerade final

Kristoffer Bengtsson is hoping to add an international flavour to the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship by becoming the first overseas winner since fellow Scandinavian Thor Andersen in 2000.

Sweden-born Bengtsson, who is an assistant at Parklands Golf Club in Newcastle Upon Tyne, will be making his debut in the £32,500 final which is supported by FootJoy and is being staged at Coventry Golf Club from August 7-9.

Bengtsson failed to make the final last year but the second year PGA Assistant returned to the Lancashire venue of Penwortham in May to finish fourth and book his place at Coventry.

And he hailed the PGA system as one of the best in the world after settling in the north east of England.

Bengtsson, aged 26, explained: “I was studying at Northumbria University and playing for their golf team.

“And the head professional at Parklands, Mark Watkins, offered me a job there when I left college.

“It was something I jumped at because the PGA course is so prestigious.

“Britain is seen as one of the homes of golf and to gain this qualification in the UK is something that’s recognised all over the world. It’s so comprehensive and prepares you for all aspects of the game.

“I’m doing some teaching at the moment, but the playing side is important to me as well.”

Bengtsson admits he has never played at Coventry before and will be stepping into the unknown when he takes part in the final.

“I’m playing better this year and when I qualified at Penwortham it helped that I was familiar with the course from the previous year,” he added.

“But Coventry is new to me so it’s difficult to say how well I’ll do. But I’ll be playing some events beforehand so that should give me some idea of my form.”

Other players from the North of England taking part at Coventry include Andrew Scrimshaw (Close House);   Ross Crowe (Westerhope); Oliver Pantoja (Hale);  Michael Platt (De Vere Carden Park);  Curtis Dean (Hesketh); and Thomas McCann (Barrow).