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
-
European Tour‘Is this where I am going to die?’ Nicolas Colsaerts on kidney disorder battle
The Belgian is the focus of attention this week as he belatedly defends the Cazoo Open de France title he won three years ago.
-
Ryder CupOn this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe team
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
LIV GolfOpen champion Cameron Smith wins first LIV trophy in just second start
The world number two is the highest-ranked player to join the rebel series.
-
European TourRobert MacIntyre beats Matt Fitzpatrick in play-off to win Italian Open
MacIntyre birdied the first extra hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick holds narrow lead ahead of final round at Italian Open
Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai are one shot off the pace.
-
European TourRory McIlroy picks up the pace to claim lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in Rome
McIlroy’s group looked unlikely to complete their second rounds after taking three hours to play nine holes.
-
NewsMatt Fitzpatrick leads way at Italian Open despite ‘inconsistent’ display
The US Open champion held a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tom Lewis,
-
European TourRory McIlroy rues a late night until eagle gets him flying in Italian Open
The four-time major winner was only a shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick after the first round of the Rome event.
-
European TourRory McIlroy begins Italian Open with superb 67 after recovering from slow start
He kick-started his round by holing out from 115 yards for an eagle on the par-four third.
-
European TourShane Lowry: Golf risks alienating fans with disgusting amount of money involved
The BMW PGA Championship winner insists he was never tempted to join LIV Golf.