Henrik Stenson hopes to inspire the next generation of Swedish players when he returns to Malmö for this year’s Nordea Masters.
The World Number Four is still searching for a maiden victory in his home event, and he is keen to improve on last year’s fifth place finish when he plays his first event of 2015 on European soil this week.
After receiving the support of more than 100,000 over the four tournament days last year, Stenson is relishing being back at PGA Sweden National, where he is seeing for himself the progress of Sweden's talented young players.
"It’s great to come back," he said. "I really received a warm welcome last year – there was so much support for me and all the other Swedish players.
“I didn’t have my best finish and ran out of steam a bit on the Sunday. I still had a chance on the 18th and needed to make a birdie to be in the play-off, but that didn’t happen. Hopefully I can be there until the end this year.
“I grew up watching the event outside the ropes, then in 1996 I played my first one as an amateur and I’ve been part of it for most years since.
"It’s important to come back and be an inspiration for the next generation hopefully and to support a Swedish event.
Henrik Stenson
“I’ve seen a few good players coming up. I played nine holes with Marcus Kinhult and he’s had some great success in the amateur ranks.
“There are some strong players coming up. I’m not in contact with all of them as I’m living and playing mostly in the States, but I try to keep track of results lists from various tours and events, so I have an idea. It’s good to see them here this week.”
Stenson will tee off at 0800 on Thursday alongside Thongchai Jaidee, who beat Ryder Cup stars Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher in a play off to triumph 12 months ago, and Søren Kjeldsen, the winner at last week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation.
The 39 year old has struggled with illness this season, but insists he is fit and ready for the second half of the year.
“I got sick which set me back for about six weeks," he said. "First I had proper man-flu which was horrible, then I got a vomiting bug that the kids had when we were at Augusta, so I came off one bad thing and straight into another one, then I had back-to-back colds.
"At that point I felt like if anyone sneezed within 500 yards of me I was getting it because my immune system was so low and broken down.
"But I’ve recovered and had a few good weeks in the gym, so I’m feeling healthy, but I’m playing catch-up which is hard in the middle of the season. I’ll do the best I can and hopefully have a good second half of the year."
