Henrik Stenson will be aiming to continue his astonishing impact on golf's top team events after committing himself to Europe's bid to retain the Royal Trophy in January 12-14, 2007. Stenson famously holed the winning putt at the Ryder Cup in September as Europe overwhelmed the USA 18 1/2 points to 9 1/2, to complete a remarkable hat-trick for the big-hitting Swede.
He was also a key member of the European Team that beat Asia 9-7 in the first 'Battle of the Continents' at Thailand's prestigious Amata Spring Country Club in 2006. He beat local hero Thongchai Jaidee to secure the winning point, and cut short a thrilling final day fight-back in the singles by the Asian team. It was no wonder Seve Ballesteros was so keen to have him in his line-up when he led Europe against Asia in the prestigious new match play event - and the Spanish legend is understandably delighted to welcome him back for the re-match.
Seve commented: "Having Henrik back on the team is a tremendous boost to our hopes of retaining the Royal Trophy. He is one of the brightest young talents in world golf, and he was a very important member of our winning team last time. He has shown an excellent temperament and a winner's mentality, first by clinching the winning point for us in the inaugural Royal Trophy, and then by sinking the decisive putt in the Ryder Cup. When he played for me in the Royal Trophy last time I could see he was a young player who was on the verge of great things - and he has certainly made an excellent start towards proving me right."
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"Apart from his contribution to the Ryder Cup, he has had a memorable year in his own right. His eagle at the first play-off hole in Munich to beat two world-class opponents in Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington was one of the highlights of the European season. He has pushed himself to the fringe of the top ten in the world rankings, and I am certain he is going to go a lot higher next year. We are very lucky to have his services - he will be a formidable barrier for the Asian players to overcome."
Stenson admitted he has quickly acquired an appetite for team golf, and said he had to pinch himself to make sure his own crucial contributions were not just a figment of his imagination. He added: "I seem to have developed a happy knack of being in the right place at the right time to play an important role in these team events, and long may it continue. My first Royal Trophy was a wonderfully enjoyable experience, and I jumped at the opportunity to pay a return visit to Amata Spring Country Club. The first Royal Trophy match was played in a terrific spirit, but the competition was very intense. From that point of view it was very useful preparation for the Ryder Cup!"
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Stenson also earned a glowing endorsement from another European golf legend, Nick Faldo. They were team-mates at the first Royal Trophy, and the six times Major champion expects to link up with Stenson again when Faldo leads Europe in the next Ryder Cup, at Valhalla in Kentucky in two years' time. Faldo and Stenson combined for a final hole victory over the highly-rated Japanese duo of Yasuharo Imano and Keiichiro Fukabori in the fourballs last January, helping Europe to a commanding lead which proved just enough of a cushion in the face of a stirring Asian rally.
Faldo said: "Henrik's involvement so soon after claiming a place in golf folklore by holing the winning putt at the Ryder Cup can only add further prestige to the Royal Trophy. I was very impressed at the way the inaugural Royal Trophy was organised. For an event that was in its very first edition, I felt it all went off remarkably smoothly." |
