Can Henrik Stenson win the USPGA after Open triumph?

Can Henrik Stenson win the USPGA after Open triumph

Henrik Stenson is looking to build on his success at Royal Troon at this week’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol.

The Swede claimed his first major title after an epic battle with Phil Mickelson and the Iceman is hoping to enjoy the sweet taste of success for a second time sooner rather than later.

“It’s been an exciting time since we finished off at Troon,” said Stenson.

“A couple of hectic days; a lot of media back home in Sweden. It was huge — for me, of course, but for Swedish golf, as well, we have been waiting for a male player to win a major championship for the last 25 years, and it finally happened — well, forever I guess.

“But certainly in the last 25 years since some of the early players had some chances, Jesper Parnevik in particular. That was massive.

“Then I had some time with the family and of course I could every now and again give that Claret Jug a little glare and it brought a grin to my face every time, I’m sure.

“Yeah, it’s fantastic. It’s a boyhood dream come true and something I wanted to achieve all my life, and then it finally happened.

“So yeah, I’m delighted and at the same time, we’re in the middle of a big season. It’s a hectic season with the PGA Championship being the last major and then into the Olympics and FedExCup and Ryder Cup, and Race to Dubai finish.

“It’s still a lot of golf, so we’ve still got to try and focus on what’s ahead.”

The Swede’s love affair with his trusty 3-wood is set to continue at Baltusrol.

He said: “I think it’s going to be a lot of 3-wood. It’s a course that you definitely want to play off the fairway.

“Off the tee, I think yardage-wise, it fits very well. It’s going to be a lot of 3-woods and 4-woods and the odd driver here and there.

“It’s going to be aired a lot, and if it behaves like it normally does, I think that can put me in good position.

“It’s a course with a lot of par 4s and some of them a bit longer, and that should play into my strengths, which is mid- to long-irons. So I think it’s a good course for me.”