Stenson will give Yanks a rough Ryde
says JUSTIN ROSE
HENRIK STENSON has been tipped to follow up his Open win by putting the Yanks to the sword again in the Ryder Cup.
Swede Stenson crushed the spirit of Phil Mickelson with a sensational final-round 63 to win The Open at Royal Troon in a record low score of 20 under par.
The American threw everything at Stenson in a flawless last round of 65, including four birdies and an eagle.
But Mickelson just couldn’t match the fireworks from his rival, who bagged 10 birdies to claim the Claret Jug.
Now Justin Rose – a friend, Florida neighbour and Ryder Cup team-mate – hopes Europe skipper Darren Clarke teams him up with the new Open champ at Hazeltine in September to have another go at spanking the Yanks.
Deliver
Rose said: “You always want Henrik playing well going into a Ryder Cup because he’s a player you’d look to deliver you three points at least.
“When you get a guy like that churning out the points it takes care of some of their big guns. You need Henrik to stand up to them because if America’s players are earning the points, then I think that’s when it gets tough for Europe.”
In 2014 at Gleneagles, the duo were the trump card in the fourballs, smashing records as Europe stormed to victory.
In a clash against Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar, the Stenson/Rose double act notched a staggering 12 birdies in 16 holes to leave the Americans floored and write their names in the history books.
Rose reckons the Ryder Cup will bring out the best in his team-mate in an event that has been teed up perfectly by Stenson’s Sunday shoot-out with Mickelson.
“We lean on Rory (McIlroy) and Henrik as key players in the team,” said Rose.
“I forged a record-breaking partnership with Henrik last time and we get on really well on and off the course.
“Our caddies get on well, we play a similar style of game and we can club off each other.
“Depending on what Darren Clarke’s thinking, I certainly would welcome the opportunity to partner him again.
“He’s turned it around and is playing great golf again.
“He’s never been far away but he’s winning again and when he wasn’t, that was bugging him. It will now be a distant memory.”
Stenson is up to No.5 in the world after his Open win and the winner’s cheque for £1.18m takes him to third in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings.
More than that, though, it removes the tag as one of the best players in the world never to have won a Major.
The 40-year-old Swede had endured the agony of coming close on several occasions, with seven top-four finishes in Majors before he closed the deal at Troon.
“If there is anyone due a Major more apart from Lee Westwood or Sergio Garcia, then it’s Henrik,” said Rose.
Stenson is a popular champion among the fans and also the players, who know that behind his stony face lies one of golf ’s funniest characters.
Rose is happy that Stenson is guaranteed to be part of the European team heading to Minnesota for the Ryder Cup.
He said: “Henrik has an interesting personality because they call him a joker but they also call him the iceman as well.
“He’s got the intensity – you don’t want to be around a joker all the time because that becomes annoying.
Mood
“He’s got the intensity and can turn it on come Thursday morning. “He can flick that switch where he can be all business and a great competitor but can also throw up a one-liner that changes the mood in any team room, at any hole, in any round. That’s a great skill to have. “He has a steely glare and that’s why I think he brings the best of both worlds to a Ryder Cup. “He’s always got the hunger, too – and he’s learned to control his desire. He has a deep desire to be the best, just like I have, and he’s controlled his emotions. “We’ve lived in the same neighbourhood for a number of years. Our families get on well and it’s very natural for us to pair up in a team situation.”