How ‘Swede’ It Is

As the English translation of the 3rd and 4th lines of the Swedish National Anthem states, “We greet you as loveliest land upon Earth; Your shining sun, your sky, your pastures green.” In terms of American golf these lines could undoubtedly be in the description of the Stadium Course at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass. Maybe not pure natural beauty, but beauty nevertheless. As evening crept in amongst the mounds, man made pools, and grainy white sands on Sunday of the Players Championship, the Swedish flag was raised in celebration of the new Players Champion. – his name is Henrik Stensen.

In the short history of the PGA tour’s “5th major,” not many Sunday trips around the stadium have been as masterful as Stensen’s bogey free 6-under 66. ‘Master’ful being the operative word. DL3’s 64 amongst the heavy gales in 2003, Freddy’s 64 in 1996, and Stephen Ames dominating 67 in 2006 come to mind. But to those three’s delight (*especially Ames), neither one of those rounds included the world’s number one Tiger Woods in the final pairing of the day – Stensen’s did! *See the 2006 Accenture Match Play.

Although Stensen didn’t have to stare into the eye of the Tiger, I don’t really know if it would even have mattered. The cool, calm, and collected Swede stood stone faced over every tee-shot, iron, and putt he faced; all the while jabbering Swedish nothings into the waiting ears if famed caddie Fanny Sunessen. Fanny, might I add, is no stranger to success in the spotlight as she walked the lush rolling rolls of Augusta National with it’s eye-popping colorful azalea bursts; while looping for Nick Faldo for two of his three Green Jackets.

Although Stensen is and has been a top ten player worldwide for the past few years and a staple at all major championships; surprisingly he had yet to win a stroke play event in the US. His only American victory came at the 2007 WGC Accenture Match Play event, which consists of one of the best fields in any tournament worldwide. And on a side note: I’m usually not one to brag but yours truly has a penned in bracket from that 2007 Match Play event with Henrik Stensen’s name in the championship slot. Yes, amazingly enough, I picked the winner that year. And, yes, I can confirm…I am the man. But anyway…

Just like some the foreign born players over the past couple of years, this huge victory should propel Stensen from recognized name amongst novice American golf fans, to an actual recognized face. He will join names like Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Paul Casey; as non-Americans who have established themselves with wins not only worldwide, but on the American stage. And that’s where the money’s at! The Star Spangled Banner may not be as beautifully written as the Swedish National Anthem, but it is the “land of the free and home of the” bling! Congrats to Hanrik on his biggest win yet!

Please note, I have no intention of mentioning Alex Cjeka’s collapse. It was difficult to watch and would be more difficult to rehash. Like the ghosts of Van de Velde’s past, some things are just best left unmentioned!