Henrik Stenson’s tenth European Tour victory in the BMW International Open has earned the Swede the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month award for June.
His three-shot win at Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof, secured with rounds of 68-65-67-71, was Stenson’s first on European soil since his triumph in the same tournament ten years previously. He promptly added his 11th victory on the European Tour, and first in a Major Championship, with his emphatic win in The Open Championship at Royal Troon last week.
The World Number Five just edged the June vote ahead of Matthew Fitzpatrick, who collected his second European Tour title in the Nordea Masters, with Shane Lowry in third after finishing joint runner-up in the US Open – his best performance in a Major.
Stenson, who receives Hilton HHonors Diamond Elite Status – the highest tier of Hilton’s renowned loyalty scheme – for winning the Golfer of the Month award, said: “It’s a nice award to get for a job well done.
I’ve won it a few times in the past, and I’m sure this award will find a very nice place next to the other ones in the cabinet.
Henrik Stenson
“Hopefully I’ll have a few more trophies to add to the collection come the end of the season.”
Comprising members of the golfing media, the Hilton Golfer of the Month panel also considered the merits of Fitzpatrick, Lowry and Wu Ashun, who claimed his second European Tour title in Austria at the Lyoness Open powered by Sporthilfe Cashback Card.
Ultimately, however, it was Stenson’s peerless performance in Cologne which swayed the vote the way of the 40 year old Ryder Cup star.
Neil Squires, golf correspondent for the Daily Express newspaper, said: “It was another commanding performance in Germany from Stenson. If his putting had matched his driving and peerless iron play, the Swede would have lapped the field.”
David Facey, of the Sun newspaper, added: “It was great for Henrik finally to land that elusive first win in 19 months, especially in an event where he had finished runner-up for the past two years – and a welcome boost for Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke too.”
Hilton HHonors Diamond Elite Status will provide Stenson with a host of fantastic benefits at 4,600 hotels within the Hilton portfolio around the world, including complimentary access to Executive Floors, late checkouts, 48-hour room guarantees and, pending availability, complimentary room upgrades.
Hilton, the Official Hotel Supplier to The European Tour, is the Official Sponsor of the European Tour Golfer of the Month award, which recognises and rewards the best performances of European Tour members each month.
Together with his fellow Golfer of the Month winners, Stenson will be considered for the European Tour Golfer of the Year award, which will be announced after the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
