Stenson so happy to pass his stress test
Swede out to impress Ryder Cup selectors
HENRIK STENSON was chuffed he didn’t crack under the pressure playing in front of Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington in Prague last week. Now for a second week running the Swede finds himself again under the selection eye after being grouped at the European Masters in Switzerland with vice-captain Martin Kaymer. And making up the trio on the Crans-sur-Sierre course today is 2018 Ryder Cup hero Francesco Molinari. Playing alongside Harrington clearly worked, with Stenson producing his first top 10 all year on either the PGA or European Tours thanks to a share of fourth in the Czech Masters. Three wildcards are up for grabs at Whistling Straits next month. And Stenson smiled as he said: “I asked Padraig last week after playing the same group if I’ll get a rematch at Wentworth in a few weeks. “He said, ‘That’s possible’, so I see that it doesn’t completely put me out of the equation. “At least I didn’t hit the seat ejector button while playing alongside Padraig. I am a realist and I know I’ve not performed to the level I want for a long, long time. “I am trying my hardest to get my game back in good shape and if I do that, I hope I might be in with a shot. “We still have another three weeks of qualifying to go and Wentworth to the deciding week. “Wentworth will be the most important week out of the two events before the BMW PGA, so I don’t think it was only coincidence we played the first two rounds together in Prague.
“I also think it’s not a coincidence Francesco and I are playing the first two rounds here in Crans with Martin – as he’s a Ryder Cup vice-captain.
“It’s only natural that those who are involved with picking the team are looking out to see who is doing what.
“All I can do is try to play my best and we’ll see where it takes us the next couple of weeks.
“If there were to be a spot on the team, then I’d want to go to Whistling Straits playing my best golf.”
The 45-year-old is well down on both qualifying points tables, 69th on the Europe pile and 28th on the world standings. He’s also ranked 176th in the world but has played in five Ryder Cups, including the last three.
Nine Scots – including recent winners Grant Forrest and Calum Hill – are in Switzerland this week.
Top-ranked countryman Robert MacIntyre has headed to Ohio for the penultimate event on the Korn Ferry Tour, a secondary circuit.
He was cut from the Boise Open in Idaho with scores of 74 and 67, falling two shots shy in earning a payday.
The top 25 money earners, ending on September 5 with the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in Indiana, will be handed full PGA Tour membership.
MacIntyre saw the top four last week in Idaho earn enough to be assured of a full Tour card, leaving 19 places up for grabs.
I’m trying my hardest to get my game in shape HENRIK STENSON HOPES TO MAKE EUROPEAN TEAM