Strong BMW International Open memories for Henrik Stenson
Saturday 27 June 2015 16:23, UK
Henrik Stenson is expecting a tough test at this week's BMW International Open, but looks to build on his impressive tournament record at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried.
Stenson is without a win on European soil since he took the title nine years ago by beating Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington in a three-man play-off, with the Swede since going on to claim five top-ten finishes at the event, most recently as a runner-up 12 months ago.
Although the world No 7 admits to be slightly jet-lagged after a long journey from a tied-27th finish at Chambers Bay last week, he remains confident of building on strong memories and having a good week in Germany.
“I know the course well," Stenson told a pre-tournament press conference. "It changed quite a bit over the last five or ten years, some tee boxes, some changes around the greens to try and make it harder for us, as it was always a big birdie fest.
“It’s a little harder these days to get birdies than they used to be, but they are still out there. It’s always hard to predict the winning score but given that it's playing quite soft and long off the tee, I think the winning score could be a little higher.
“The greens are in as good of shape as I've seen them. If you're hitting fairways and hitting greens and putting well, you're winning golf tournaments.”
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The Swede tees off in the featured morning group alongside 2008 champion Martin Kaymer and Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who moved up to 45th in the Official World Golf Rankings after a tied-ninth finish at Chambers Bay.
Home hopes will be pinned Kaymer, despite only posing one top-10 finish during the first half of the year, while compatriot Marcel Siem looks to end a run of five consecutive missed cuts.
“My year hasn’t been that good so far, so I think it's going to help me a lot to have the 12th man here with me on the pitch, so to speak,” Siem said. “I was quite happy with my game overall at Chambers Bay, it’s just I putted really, really poorly.”
Former major champion Goosen and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas will both make their first European appearances of the year after receiving sponsors invites, while last year’s winner Fabrizio Zanotti returns to defend his title
“I’m just embracing everything and not putting on myself,” the Paraguayan, who prevailed in a four-man play-off 12 months ago, said. “I’m just relaxing and trying to enjoy the week.”
Watch the BMW International Open live on Thursday from 10.30am on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf.
