Henrik Stenson admits he has some unfinished business with the Nordea Masters as The Race to Dubai champion looks to win his home event for the first time.
The Swede was a runner-up in this event in 2004 and 2005, the latter coming in a play-off with Mark Hensby after the Australian had sunk a 30 foot putt on the 18th to force extra holes.
And now Stenson is hoping to add a win on home soil at PGA Sweden National to his rapidly lengthening list of achievements.
“I’ve not played in this tournament for a few years so it is good fun,” said the World Number Two. “I’m seeing a lot of people who I haven’t seen for a while.
“That’s always great to catch up with them and I am really feeling the support. It’s going to be fun to start playing. There are going to be a lot of people coming to watch.
“I’ve played the course five or six times. Even seeing it in course set up, with the tents and grandstands is different. It frames the course nicely though because it is a very open piece of land. The course is in great condition too.
“It’s the first time I’ve set foot in Sweden since Christmas, so it is great to be back. Playing in front of your home crowd is always great, especially with the success I’ve had. I feel the support already and hopefully I will try not to make them too disappointed when we start playing.
“It would be great to win this week. I came very close in 2005 when I lost in a play-off when Mark Hensby drained a 30 foot putt on the last to force a play-off and won on the second play-off hole. At that point it was very hard to take and it took a week or two for me to get over that. It would be nice to get revenge after being so close. We’ll try.”
Stenson’s incredible 2013, in which he finished as European Number One, FedEx Cup winner and came second and third in the year’s last two Majors, was always likely to be tough to follow.
But the 38 year old believes he is playing better now than he was 12 months ago.
“I think I’ve played better so far this year compared to the same time last year, before that run,” he added. “I’m in a pretty good place with my game and all the pieces are coming together. It’s just whether I can get the extra few per cent out of my game and then I will be right there.
“I’m not impatient. It’s one of those things where I see myself having another three of four good years ahead and if I could be up there I fancy my chances of walking away with at least one of them [Majors]. If it is this year, or next year, it doesn’t really matter. I’m playing well and hopefully I can do it one day.”
