GLORIOUS HOMECOMING
The Scandinavian Mixed event may have been put back until 2021, but the unique format means it will be well worth the wait. Co-host Henrik Stenson tells us more...
enrik Stenson spent the start of the year cruising round the California countryside in a 40-foot RV. No golf clubs. This is how the Swede likes to relax. He’s not winding things down, even if after 20 years on tour he could be forgiven for taking his foot off the gas.
Let’s recap: 11 European Tour victories, one Claret Jug, an Olympic silver medal, five Ryder Cups, twice Europe’s number one and, most importantly – if you share Paul Azinger’s opinion – a multiple PGA Tour winner and Fedexcup champion.
This season, however, was meant to be one of the Swede’s busiest ever, with a new focus – the Scandinavian Mixed.
Several new tournaments have been added to the schedule in recent years, but when this event was jointly announced by the European
Tour and Ladies European Tour last year, it immediately jumped out as one to pencil in the diary – and not just because Stenson and one of the game’s greatest ever players, Annika Sorenstam, would be hosting. Unfortunately, coronavirus means it's been put back until 2021, but the unique format means it's definitely one to look forward to. It will comprise 78 men and 78 women going head-to-head for the first time on the same course (Bro Hof Slott Golf Club in Stockholm) to compete for one prize fund and one trophy. It was at the forefront of Stenson’s mind when we spoke to him.
“It’s the first edition and there are always going to be a few little uncertainties, but it’s going to be exciting,” a buoyant Stenson says. “Same course, one prize fund, one first prize. Whether it’s a male or female who wins, it’s just going to be one champion. It’s very good for Sweden. I think it’s going to be great for golf. I’m proud to be hosting it with Annika. She’s a legend of the game.”
It’s an event the 44-year-old is extremely passionate about, especially as a father of three young children. He’s played over 600 events as a professional, but this one carries extra significance.
“We need to have a tournament for all the young girls to see their European Tour stars play,” says Stenson, who counts himself lucky to have discovered golf through a friend when he was ten years old.
“We’ve [Sweden] had such a strong trail of women, even long before Annika, and after her. This has been such a great collective move to get a great week in, to get
“I think it's going to be great for golf. I'm proud to be hosting it with Annika. She's a legend of the game”
everyone that’s interested in golf in Sweden and Scandinavia to come out and watch everyone. We’ve always been at the forefront of equal rights and equal pay. We’re setting an example.”
Co-host Sorenstam shares her compatriot’s excitement. “When the European Tour approached me and Henrik, we both jumped at the opportunity,” the ten-time Major winner says. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, I really do. I hope everybody can enjoy the format as it is. To grow the game, you have to come up with some different formats. If you’re a golf fan I think you like to watch men and women.”
Sadly – and it’s the only disappointment surrounding the event – the former World No.1 could not be tempted to come out of retirement. Make no mistake, she’ll be as focused as ever in the Pro-am, but during the tournament itself, she’ll be mic’d up. “I think I can be more engaged if I don’t play,” she adds. “When you play… knowing myself I’m
very competitive [laughs]. I can be more involved as an ambassador because I’m not focusing on my own game. I told Henrik, you do the playing part and I’ll do the other part, and maybe I can give you the trophy on Sunday.”
Prior to postponements and cancellations, a return to Sweden had been at the centre of Stenson’s plans. He was looking to “rev it up” again and rediscover his best form. His A-game was within reach, as he showed in December, when he ended a two-year drought with victory at the Hero World Challenge. It doesn’t matter what your resume says, in this game everyone goes cold.
In The Bahamas, though, we saw the old Henrik. Exhibition event or not, most of the world’s best golfers were there. Another point worth noting: at 43, Stenson was the second oldest player in the field. Age, as they say, is just a number.