In an exclusive interview to Sport360° in the first week of January this year, Henrik Stenson said he reckoned he was playing no better than 70 per cent of his potential despite producing one of the most dominant displays seen in the game.
In 2013, the Swede won both the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai, as well as Tour Championships on both sides of the Atlantic.
Compared to his three wins and 14 top-10s last year, the 38-year-old won only once (the DP World Tour Championship) and recorded 10 top-10s in 2014.
The first two months were a blur as pressure on his time – a result of his own success – took a heavy toll on his preparation, but he was back playing solid golf soon and contending, although a title eluded him until last week.
A day after that triumph, Stenson looked back upon the season after playing the Audemars Piguet Invitational Golf Day at The Els Club.
“I don’t think I have risen any higher than that (70 per cent),” said Stenson. “There is still quite a lot in my game which can be better.
“There is still room for improvement, and I think the biggest would be my putting. I need it to be a bit more consistent and I am sure I will be contending a few more time.
“I need to work on my wedge, although I have hit it really well at certain times this year.
“In golf, and I guess in every other thing in life, you are never a finished product. You are always trying to get better and better.”
Stenson said 2014 was a challenging year for him, and that he has much higher hopes from 2015.
“To be honest, I felt I just did not get the time to prepare for this season. There was always something or the other that I needed to do last year,” said Stenson.
“Given that I was less prepared and had less energy this season, and yet had the year I’ve had, I am very satisfied with what I have done.
“But I am now only playing Tiger’s World Challenge and then starting with Abu Dhabi. I will also take the whole of February off to prepare better for March onwards, and I am very excited about that. I think I will be more ready, and more importantly, more fresh when I reach tournaments this year.”
