St Andrews, SCOTLAND — Henrik Stenson said he is not sure if this was his last Open Championship at St Andrews, so all he wants to do this week is get rid of the thoughts of trying to win his first major and just go out and enjoy himself.
With the spotlight firmly on Jordan Spieth’s historic bid to win three back-to-back majors in a single calendar year, Stenson and the rest of the field have had a relatively easier build up to the Open Championship.
The 39-year-old Swede has played particularly well on the Old Course, where he finished third in the 2010 Open and had shot a round of 67 way back in 2005.
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“It’s a treat playing The Open to start with, and to do it here at St Andrews just makes it twice as good,” said the world No7.
“I had a great time in 2010, and if you enjoy yourself, you’ve got better chances of playing well. It always helps to build on that, and you never know, it might be my last Open at St Andrews. So might as well enjoy it.”
Stenson announced his first golf course design project in Sweden earlier this week, but that and his “last Open at St Andrews” comment did not mean he was planning his retirement anytime soon.
“If the body holds up and things go rather well, then I should have another four, five years at the top of my game, I hope. Unless I manage to win the Open, you’re never guaranteed to be in them in the future. That’s kind of why I said, you never know in five, six years where you’re at. I might be 51st in the World Ranking then and not be in the field for 2020,” explained Stenson.
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“You’ve got to enjoy things when you’re at the top of your game, as well, so that’s what I’m trying to do here this week and enjoy the atmosphere, whether it’s a little drizzle and a little windy at times, but that’s part of it.
Stenson said he is at peace with his career achievements and a major win will now just be a bonus.
“Not disappointed at all. I think if I look at the big picture, how much I’ve managed to achieve coming from a little junior in Sweden standing there practising, dreaming about playing golf worldwide and competing in the big events, I think I’ve come a very long way,” said Stenson.
“A major win would be the icing on the cake, no question. But I would still go to sleep fairly happy even if it didn’t happen. It’s a bonus, and I’m trying hard to make it happen.”
