Stenson hopes to play key role
Henrik Stenson is confident of making a major impact at the Ryder Cup this week.
The Swedish world number five has a mixed record in the team event, experiencing victory at the K Club in 2006 before tasting defeat at Valhalla two years later.
A remarkable 2013 season on the European and PGA Tours saw him qualify for this year’s event at Gleneagles relatively early, but the 2014 Cup will be his first since 2008 after spending several years in the doldrums.
His individual record is patchy too, taking three points from seven, but now that he has an opportunity to improve upon that, the 38-year-old committed to improve.
“It’s been a while. I played in 2006 and 2008 but I never felt like I was done,” he told Sky Sports ahead of this week’s tournament in Scotland.
“I wanted to get the European shirt on at least once more, and here we are. I’m delighted with that.
“Hopefully I’ll play a bigger role in terms of the points that I can bring to the team.
“I got one-and-a-half out of three matches at the K Club and one and a half out of four matches at Valhalla – I wouldn’t mind getting some points out of this one.”
Stenson may be one of the more senior players in the European team when it comes to world ranking and experience, but the Swede believes other players within the team have greater responsibility.
“I’m one of the more experienced players on the team but in terms of Ryder Cup, possibly not, there are a lot of players on the team that have played more,” he added.
“I guess we would all possibly line up behind Lee (Westwood), he might need to be the new general on the team, and Ian (Poulter) is a very energetic and driving force – and Sergio (Garcia) as well.
“We have a lot of leader characters on the team. Potentially I can step up a little bit more than I’ve done on the previous two that I was part of but it feels like we’ve got a great group of players.
“It’s still been a long year and a long year behind me before that and I could have done with a month off but then again you always risk getting rusty.
“My game feels all right and once the week starts you’re not going to feel tired at all because you run on adrenaline this week regardless.”
Latest
-
NewsRory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
NewsTyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
NewsPhil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
NewsRory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
NewsRory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
NewsJustin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
NewsMy last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
NewsRory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
NewsRory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
NewsRory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.