After his record-breaking maiden Major win at Royal Troon on Sunday, it was the morning after the night before for newly-crowned Open Champion Henrik Stenson.
Stenson, who broke a plethora of long-standing records during his three-shot win in Scotland, went toe-to-toe with five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson in a thrilling final-day duel as the Swede carded a Sunday 63 to equal the lowest round in Major history, while his 264 aggregate score was also the lowest ever in a Major Championship.
The 40 year old is widely regarded as one of the European Tour’s greatest characters and is if to further exemplify his class, Stenson travelled straight from Ayrshire to Switzerland – with Claret Jug in tow – for a pre-arranged commitment to play in a Sergio Garcia Foundation charity day at Golf Club Bad Ragaz.
And it was here, nestled in the sun-soaked Swiss Alps and hundreds of miles away from Troon and the site of his career-changing accomplishment, where Stenson stopped to take stock and reflect on the magnitude of last week’s events.
Following an epic 145th edition of The Open, the likes of Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Justin Rose and more world-class players were in attendance at the ‘Sergio and Friends’ event in Switzerland, and his contemporaries were quick to add their voices to the abundance of admiration that has flooded Stenson’s way from across the globe in the wake of his incredible victory.
The Ice Man, ever the consummate pro, even found time – and the last vestiges of his energy – to answer some fan questions in a live hole-walk Q&A on Facebook.
Henrik Stenson, Open Champion, Major winner, we salute you.
