TRIBUTES have been paid to Swedish golfer Fredrik Andersson Hed, who has died at the age of 49.
The 2010 Italian Open champion, who retired from golf in 2015, had cancer.
He lived in the Swedish port city of Halmstad and leaves behind wife Anna and children Viggo and Molly.
European Tour star Thomas Bjorn was one of many to leave a tribute on Twitter.
The Dane tweeted: “I’m so deeply saddened by this.
“Freddie was a true professional that will be missed by us all.
“A great ambassador for our game and for Sweden.
“Thoughts are with Anna, Viggo and Molly at this time.”
Fellow golf stars Paul McGinley, Graeme Storm and Scott Drummond also left messages of condolences online.
After a successful amateur career Andersson Hed turned pro in 1992.
He won two Challenge Tour events and spent most of the following decade on the European Tour.
European Tour chief operating officer Keith Waters said: “Fredrik was much loved in the golfing world and beyond, particularly among our Scandinavian players and staff, past and present.
“Our hearts go out to them at this incredibly sad time.”
