World Number Two Henrik Stenson will look to become only the third multiple winner of the BMW International Open this week as he looks to find top gear at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof.
The Swede became the first man to win both The Race to Dubai and the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup in 2013, and he travels to Cologne after a tie for fourth a fortnight ago at the US Open Championship.
That result has Stenson much happier with his improving form, but the 38 year old hopes he can start to replicate his form of 12 months ago, beginning this week in Germany.
“It’s been pretty good recently,” said the eight-time European Tour winner. “I haven’t been at my best, but it has been good enough to register some positive results and keep me ticking away.
“Now would be a great time to start playing well. I know that from last year, so if I can replicate anything near that this summer and into the autumn, I’d be delighted.”
In an unusual sight for those gathered at his press conference, a relaxed looking Stenson was accompanied by his wife, who he jokingly said would be ejected if she asked any awkward questions.
The eight-time European Tour winner has every reason to feel at ease in Germany though, as one of only 12 former champions in the field, having overcome Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington in a play-off in 2006.
With success have come distractions, but with his mind now much clearer out on course, the Swede believes his best form is very close.
“This is a game where at the highest level, it's more about margins. You have to strive to get an extra 15 or 20 per cent all the time, or a little bit of luck,” said Stenson.
“You have to keep a clear mind when you're out there playing, which I haven’t always been able to achieve. But I'm better with that now and I'm pretty close to being where I want to be, so I don’t have too much to worry about on the game front now.”
Stenson will get his title challenge under way at 1240 on Thursday alongside Victor Dubuisson and Bernd Wiesberger.
