Henrik Stenson plans busy Ryder Cup despite knee injury
By Ali Stafford at Hazeltine
Last Updated: 28/09/16 10:44pm
Henrik Stenson has vowed that his recent knee injury will not stop him from playing a full Ryder Cup schedule for Europe at Hazeltine.
The Open champion has battled knee problems since having an operation on his right meniscus last December, which forced him to miss the early part of the European Tour season.
A small re-tear saw the Swede withdraw mid-tournament from The Barclays last month and play through the pain at the Deutsche Bank Championship, before he skipped the BMW Championship to rest up for Hazeltine.
The injury had cast doubt as to whether Stenson would be able to commit to featuring in all of the sessions for Europe this week, but the 40-year-old admits he is prepared to play as much as required.
When asked whether he would be fit enough to play all five matches, Stenson said: "I'd say yes at this stage. I feel like I'm up for golf and unless the knee tells me otherwise, that's the way I am approaching it.
"To this point it doesn't hurt me when I'm playing golf. It has been more walking that has been a bit more of an issue, but that feels good at the moment.
"It's not something that I really think about. If it shows up, then I just have to deal with it as it comes really and try to make the best choices."
Stenson is expected to play a key role for Darren Clarke's team this week, as one of only six players in the team with any Ryder Cup experience.
Europe head in as underdogs but Stenson, making his fourth tournament appearance this week, has confidence in the European rookies as they bid for a record fourth consecutive European victory.
"We are going to face a tough American team here on away ground, but we are very determined to keep the Ryder Cup and keep this streak going," Stenson added.
"It's a very nice environment in the team room and I think they feel very much welcome and part of the team very quickly.
"I played with a few of the guys yesterday, and I don't really feel like there's much difference in who is new and who has been here before."
