Stenson has been charged in the gym – Golf.se

 Last year, he “ran out of gas at the end.” Now he has built up the body, but enough fuel all the way?
 

Last year’s Nordea Masters premiere at PGA National Sweden was almost perfectly directed. The crowd had flocked to Just, a Swedish super talent – Marcus Kinhult – had presented himself to the wider masses, and in 71 and a half hole saw Henrik Stenson out to honor a great golfing nation’s overall victory hopes.

But the birdie needed on the 72nd hole to reach the playoff turned into a disappointing bogey and the then world number two finished fifth – Stone’s third top-5 in the Nordea Masters on their last six attempts.

As Stenson himself summed it the Swedish Golf on Tuesday:

– I had a decent position last year but got a little out of gas at the end.

But while the fresh Skåne breeze River in flags, sponsor tents and players during Wednesday’s pro-am, feeling last year, long since forgotten. Get certainly remember even who eventually won the Nordea Masters (Thongchai Jaidee, reds. Note.) And Stenson wears, as the field far the highest ranked player in the new favorite exclusion on their shoulders.

– It is clear that it is natural that (favorite exclusion) falls on me. But aesthetically it is possible to find some other, as my playing partner Soren Kjeldsen, who seems to be in good shape, says Stenson at Wednesday’s press conference.

Stone’s own form is more difficult to put a clear stamp on. Last tour start gave a shared 58th place in the Wells Fargo Championship three weeks ago. After that, the Swede has focused on building up the physical form that got a blow after a month marked by both influenza and the Norwalk virus.

– I have focused very much on getting in shape physically again. After illness and other things so it went nearly five weeks with no gym training so my focus the last three weeks has been to get off your body in the gym. I have some problems with my neck, but otherwise the body feels good and gameplay so it is also in the right direction, says Stenson.

What game do you take this week to win?
– My lowest level’re usually pretty high. I can pick out a decent game, I hope it will be enough to at least be in the top ten and have a chance to fight for victory on Sunday. I’ve definitely gained a lot of my races, but to have my “A-game”. We have a major in two weeks so this is only the dress rehearsal so it’s a great opportunity to see where I stand. Hopefully I’ll be able to pick up some good games this summer.

Pete Cowen and Henrik Stenson have ground on world number four games before the Nordea Masters. Photo: Göran Söderqvist

At Stone’s side below the rank passport wrapped up so far this week has swing coach Pete Cowen existed. The duo has been especially ground on that, normally, razor-sharp long game that took Stenson to the top of the world.

– The long game is that the season was not as good as I know it can be. There was a lot of work with the putting at the beginning of the season which gave dividends. Short game has been okay, but it’s more swing and the long game that was not as it should. That’s why Pete is here, says Stenson.

The weather forecast for race day gossiping about the continued wind, with between 10-20 meters per second strong gusts, welcome anyway Stenson – despite the ongoing work on the swing.

– There’s a bit of the runway defense. It’s very little wind, it becomes quite low scores out there. Little wind are preferable, it sifts always remove some. Hopefully not a self, smiling superstar slyly.