HENRIK THE GOLFER
Henrik Stenson has had the highest ranking ever achieved by a Swede in the official World Golf Rankings, reaching second place in 2014. It all started back in the late 80s at Gullbringa Golf Club in Gothenburg. Moved to Southern Sweden 1991 and joined Barsebäck G&CC Henrik turned up for lessons with Anders Jansson. By 1994 he was a member of the Swedish boys’ team before becoming a leading amateur and gaining selection for the Eisenhower Trophy. He turned professional in 1998 and in 2000 he won the Challenge Tour Order of Merit at the finals in Cuba. His first European Tour win was in 2001 at the Benson & Hedges.
Over the next decade he recorded a further six wins on tour, including the Accenture World Match Play and the Players Championship at Sawgrass. His winning round at Sawgrass was described by Johnny Miller as “the best round of Sunday golf I have ever watched.” He secured top-ten finishes in the US Open, the Open and the PGA Championship and has, by the end of 2010, recorded 40 more top-10 finishes, apart from his wins, in European Tour events.
Four Ryder Cup appearances in 2006, 2008, 2014 and 2016, sinking the winning put in 2006. His four World Cup appearances include a victory in 2008 with Robert Karlsson and a second in 2009. As well, he played in the 2009 Seve Trophy and on four winning Royal Trophy teams.
In 2012 Henrik wins the South African Open after a few years of struggling. That was the start of an unbelievable 2013 season with three individual wins, Deutsche Bank Championship and Tour Championship on the PGA Tour and DP World Championship on the European Tour. He also became the first golfer in history to win the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai in the same season. He also made a career high climbing to number 2 in the world rankings.
In 2016 Henrik became the first Scandinavian male golfer to win a Major Championship when he won The Open at Troon and became The Champion Golfer of The Year! And what a way to do it, winning with a record low -20 over Phil Michelson. He also participated in the Olympics in Rio where he got a silver medal.
In short he is one of the greatest golfing talents to come out of Sweden.
Stats
- Born 5th April 1976
- OWGR 40
- Nationality Swedish
- Race to Dubai 65 (p263)
- Turned Pro 1998
- FedExCup 123 (p174)
See where I'm playing
Meet the people in my team
See my successes by year
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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2018
Ryder Cup
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2018
EurAsia Cup
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2017
Wyndham Championship
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2016
Race to Dubai Champion
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2016
Olympic Silver Medal
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2016
The Open Championship
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2016
BMW International Open
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2014
DP World Tour Championship
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2014
Ryder Cup
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2013
Race to Dubai Champion
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2013
DP World Championship
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2013
FedExCup Champion
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2013
Tour Championship
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2013
Deutsche Bank Championship
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2012
South Africa Open Championship
"It surely felt great to win again and to kiss another trophy! And what a beautiful trophy it is, top 5 in golf?"
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2011
Royal Trophy
'This is the perfect season opener, as the teams enjoy first-class Asian hospitality. Fantastic people and great camaraderie between the teams, and our record in this competition isn't bad either...'
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2010
Royal Trophy
'We managed to finish ahead of our opponents yet again. It's a thrill to anchor a team to victory!'
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2009
The Players
'It all came together that week at Sawgrass! It's one of my favorite venues and the course demands both strategy and flawless execution. I worked hard together with Fanny and of course Pete that week and enjoyed the challenge and the spoils.'
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2008
Nebank Golf Challenge
'Played some of my best golf around the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City. The hosts provide the perfect test and the perfect atmosphere. I love coming back to this place. It was a great feeling being in control of the field from the end of the first round.'
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2008
Omega Mission Hills World Cup
'Golf is an individual sport so it's very special to be able to share this team title with Robert Karlsson. We wanted to bring the World Cup home to Sweden, and together we were able to pull it off thanks to a near perfect Foursomes round.'
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2007
Accenture WGC Match Play
'It’s no secret that I like match play. I have never experienced anything like the feeling after finishing on top after such a gruelling week where you play so many holes. It’s game on from the first shot to the last.
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2007
Dubai Desert Classic
'I am fortunate to have 2 home events. I have had a couple of close calls in both, that made this one all the sweeter...'
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2007
Royal Trophy
'Going to Asia to take up the challenge of the Asian players is a great way to start the season. I was very happy to qualify for the European Team and equally proud to be able to bring the trophy back to Europe.'
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2006
Ryder Cup
'This and the Majors is the biggest stage we perform on. Emotionally; nothing compares, it's totally different. Winning in Europe is our sport's ultimate thrill especially as I was fortunate enough to hole the 'winning putt''.
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2006
Royal Trophy
'This was the first time we came together to face the Asian Team. This competition is now a favorite with me and my teammates. The standard was set in 2006, and we have managed to maintain that standard!'
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2006
BMW International Open
'The BMW is one of the classic events on the European Tour and also one of my favorites. Munich is a fantastic venue and BMW look after us as Royalty.'
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2006
Qatar Masters
'I have spent quite some time in the desert and I enjoy the climate and the golf. This layout is no pushover and often there is a bit of wind to make it interesting. I always look forward to returning to Qatar.'
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2004
The Heritage
'At Woburn back in 04, I had worked very hard and very long on all aspects of my game and this one was the reward for all that hard work! I'm really grateful for the support I had from my team all throughout difficult times.'
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2001
The Benson & Hedges International Open
'I was a rookie and the tour came to the UK and the Belfry. I had an outstanding year on the Challenge Tour behind me and this was the week of the 1-iron!'
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2000
Order of Merit title European Challenge Tour
'After having turned professional in 1999, I was offered an opportunity to play a few events on the Challenge Tour in the fall. This was the perfect way to prepare for the 2000 campaign. I played solid most of the year and finished on top of the Order of Merit, winning the finals on Cuba. This opened up the world of professional golf to me.