Stenson set on Ryder return

Stenson: Ryder Cup

The 37th Ryder Cup
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
September 16-21 2008
Valhalla GC, Louisville, Kentucky

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Having holed the putt that sealed Europe's victory in the last match, Henrik Stenson is determined to make sure he is back in the team for this year's Ryder Cup showdown at Valhalla.

The Swede made his debut in the event at the K Club 18 months ago and, after claiming half a point from two outings in the foursomes and four-balls, ensured a third consecutive European triumph when he beat Vaughan Taylor 4&3 in Sunday's singles.

Stenson is fourth in the current European standings for the 2008 match and having started the season in fine style - consecutive second places in Abu Dhabi and Qatar - already looks a certainty for Nick Faldo's team.

Unsurprisingly, the 31-year-old has fond memories of the 18½ - 9½ triumph in 2006 and is desperate to play a part in Kentucky where he feels the European team could include one or two new faces.

"It was a fantastic week (at the K Club) and I'm trying pretty hard at the minute to get some points to be in for the next one," Stenson told Sky Sports.

"I was less nervous than I expected to be, I guess that comes down to being focused on the game and blocking out everything else that goes on around you.

"I'm trying to dig deep and get the points up myself so I can make sure I'm there myself. It's (the team) always going to look a bit different, but yeah, there could be a few more rookies there."

Of that winning putt in 2006, he added: "It was a good fun thing to have in the history books I guess, but overall it was just so nice to be part of the whole thing and that the team did so well.

"We would have won with or without my game or my putt, it was just something that happened."

Major focus

While the Ryder Cup will inevitably weigh heavy on most European minds this season, Stenson admits that he has tailored his campaign with major glory in mind.

After a promising showing at last year's Masters, the Swede went on to miss the cut at the US Open, the Open Championship and the USPGA Championship and is looking to put that right this time around.

"Well obviously having the right week at the right time is going to help an awful lot, but in terms of preparation I've adjusted my schedule a bit to give myself some more time to practice and prepare for the big events and to play less throughout the year," he added.

"I think hopefully that could be one of the missing pieces to doing better in those tournaments."