In the Bag: Mikko Ilonen

We take a look inside the Nordea Masters champion's bag

Andy Roberts's picture
Andy Roberts
Mon, 3 Jun 2013
In the Bag: Mikko Ilonen

After enduring two runner-up finishes in the space of a two months, Mikko Ilonen made it third time lucky by storming away with the Nordea Masters at the weekend.

The in-form 33-year-old from Finland ended a six-year winless spell by claiming his third European Tour title at Bro Hof Slott.

A solid 3-under 69 final round, which followed impressive rounds of 63 and 65, ensured a 21-under total and three shot victory margin over Sweden’s Jonas Blixt.

“It’s pretty special - I could feel a lot of support from Finland, especially today," said Ilonen, who had a long association with European Tour Course, Linna Golf, in Finland.

Ilonen, who had been a runner-up in Morocco before finishing second to red-hot Brett Rumford in China already this season, was delighted with the way he dealt with those disappointments.

“To bounce back this soon is really good,” he continued. “It’s really satisfying, but the show I saw in China - I didn’t lose the tournament, Brett won it, so hats off to him.

“Obviously I’ve been waiting for this moment for a few weeks now. People have been expecting me to win but most of all I’ve been expecting myself to win, so to pull it off here after those second places is very satisfying.

“It’s been a long time [since I won] but I haven’t forgotten how it felt. In life there are ups and downs and I’ve found a better balance now. Life is good, my family is good and golf is alright, so I can’t complain.”

Ilonen used a mix bag of equipment including TaylorMade R1 driver, Callaway RAZR Forged irons, Cleveland Golf 588 wedges, Odyssey Versa #2 putter and Titleist ProV1x ball.

He also wore FJ Icon footwear and FJ StaSof glove. 

Ilonen ranked sixth in driving distance on 299 yards, third in greens in regulation on 83% and seventh in putts per greens in regulation on 1.65.

What's in Ilonen's bag

Driver: TaylorMade R1 (10-degree; Aldila RIP Phenom Tour S)
Fairway wood: Callaway X Hot (15-degree; Mitsubishi Fubuki S)
Irons: Callaway RAZR Forged (3-PW; Project X 7.0)
Wedges: Cleveland Golf 588 (51-, 55- and 59-degree)
Putter: Odyssey Versa #2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Footwear: FJ Icon
Glove: FJ StaSof