Stenson is devastated by burglary

OPEN champion Henrik Stenson had thousands of pounds worth of personal items and all his sponsorship clothing stolen after his rental home was ransacked while he played the first round of his title defence on Thursday. ‘It’s a very special week for me to be here in front of these fantastic crowds as the defending champion, so I am going to try not to let this spoil the week in any way,’ said the Swede, who was visibly upset after being informed after his opening round. Stenson, struggling to retain his title at two over par following a 73 yesterday, was relieved that he had already returned the Claret Jug to the R&A on Monday, and the rest of his family were watching him play. The rental home is about five miles from Birkdale in Formby, where Steven Gerrard lives along with a few of the current Liverpool team, including Adam Lallana and manager Jurgen Klopp. Detective inspector Simon Vaughan of Merseyside police said: ‘We are determined to identify those responsible.’