Stenson cleared

Golf: Europe captain Darren Clarke has allayed fears over the fitness of British Open champion Henrik Stenson ahead of next month’s Ryder Cup defence at Hazeltine, Minnesota. The Swede, who had surgery on his right knee at the end of last year, suffered a recurrence this week and was forced to pull out of The Barclays FedExCup series event in New York after shooting a three-over 74 in the opening round. Clarke, however, said yesterday that the world No 4 was simply being careful by withdrawing from the tournament. ‘‘I’ve just had a message from Henrik and he said it was solely precautionary,’’ the Northern Irishman told Sky Sports television.