Henrik Stenson withdrawal 'precautionary', says Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke
By Keith Jackson
Last Updated: 26/08/16 8:27pm
European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has revealed that Henrik Stenson's decision to pull out of The Barclays was "solely precautionary".
Stenson fired an erratic three-over 74 in the opening round at Bethpage Black before announcing he had suffered a recurrence of a right knee injury.
The Swede had surgery on the same knee at the end of last year, and the world No 4 will now have a scan following his withdrawal from the first of the four FedExCup Play-Off events in New York.
The Open champion issued a statement which read: "My right knee, which required surgery in December, 2015, has flared up again. Regrettably, I need to withdraw this week to allow time for an MRI and see what the next step is."
But Clarke allayed fears over the possibility of Stenson being a doubt for next month's Ryder Cup after receiving a message from the world No 4 moments before speaking to Sky Sports during the Made In Denmark.
Asked for his views on Stenson pulling out of The Barclays, Clarke said: "I've just had a message from Henrik, and it was solely precautionary. I messaged him back telling him that was the best news I'll hear all day.
"I think he's just being careful. The Ryder Cup means so much to him, and I think he's just making sure he can play the FedEx, but also make sure he's fit for the Ryder Cup.
"So the news isn't as bad as we were probably thinking thankfully, and hopefully he'll be okay."
Meanwhile, Stenson has been named the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month for July following his memorable, record-breaking Open victory at Royal Troon.
The 40-year-old, who also won the award in June after his win at the BMW International Open, outlasted Phil Mickelson in an enthralling final-round duel and closed with a stunning 63 to become the first Scandinavian golfer to win a major.
He said: "I don't think I will ever get tired of my Open victory being recognised, so thanks to Hilton for another Golfer of the Month Award - I guess it might have been a little surprising if I hadn't won this one!
"Winning The Open was obviously a dream come true for me, but there is such a busy schedule right now that it will probably be some point at the end of the year before I get to reflect on what I achieved. There have been so many messages of thanks and awards since Troon and I really appreciate them all."
Stenson's fellow Swede Alex Noren, winner of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, took second place in the July competition, with Thongchai Jaidee, who won the 100th Open de France, voted in third.
