Henrik Stenson is out to build on his remarkable record in the BMW International Open at Golfclub München Eichenried this week, despite a lengthy journey across the Atlantic.
The Swede finished 27th in last week’s US Open Championship at Chambers Bay, having been tied for the lead after the opening round.
The World Number Seven admitted to a touch of jet-lag in his pre-tournament press conference in Munich, but has reason to be optimistic having won here in 2006 and added five further top ten finishes in the event since, most recently when he was runner-up last year.
“It’s nice to be back here in Munich,” said the 39 year old Stenson. “Memories are going to be a little bit happier thinking back on the win in 2006.
“That was the last tournament for me before The Ryder Cup in 2006 and managed to win that one and top the points list as I recall.
On his journey to the event, Stenson continued: “We were on a very direct route and it took about nine and a half hours.
“We landed here on Monday afternoon, so I think Tuesday morning I was in the gym by six and by eight wanted to go to sleep for about a decade and this morning I woke up at 4.26! Henrik Stenson
“I know the course well, I don't need to spend a lot of time trying to learn it, especially with the jet lag. It's always nice to be back here at a familiar place.”
Winning scores at Eichenried have been notoriously high over the years, with Ernie Els taking the title on 18 under par last time the event was staged here in 2013.
But Stenson believes the going may be a little tougher this time around, adding: “I know the course well; it changed quite a bit over the last five or ten years, some tee boxes, some changes around the greens trying to make it harder for us as it was always a big birdie fest.
“It’s a little harder these days to get birdies than they used to be, but they are still out there. It’s always hard to predict the winning score but given that it's playing quite soft and long off the tee, I think the winning score could be a little higher.
“If you're hitting fairways and hitting greens and putting well, you're winning golf tournaments.
“The greens are in as good of shape as I've seen them. They have a lot of speed to them and they are certainly quicker than average on The European Tour and rolling nicely.”
