Henrik Stenson first engaged with golf at age 12, taking a lesson with professional Richard Bayliss in September 1988 at the Gullbringa Golf & Country Club. Although naturally left-handed, he developed his swing using a right-handed technique. This early introduction eventually propelled a career that spanned both the European and PGA tours, including major tournament success.
Amateur Development
Stenson honed his skills at the Barsebäck Golf & Country Club following a family move to Bjärred in 1991. By age 15, he maintained a five handicap, reaching scratch at age 18. His amateur trajectory included representing Sweden at the 1994 European Boys' Team Championship and winning the 1996 Italian Open Amateur Match-play Championship. In 1998, he competed on the professional Telia Tour, securing five top-10 finishes, which led to his participation in the Eisenhower Trophy in Santiago, Chile.
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Turning professional in 1998, Stenson achieved success on the Challenge Tour before joining the main European Tour in 2001. He secured his first tour victory that year at the Benson & Hedges International Open. In 2007, he became the first Swedish player to capture a World Golf Championship by defeating Geoff Ogilvy at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. His performances in the European Tour Order of Merit remained consistent, with top-10 finishes recorded annually between 2005 and 2008.
PGA Tour and 2013 Resurgence
Stenson earned his first American stroke play victory at The Players Championship in 2009. Following a difficult 2011 season and a challenging start to 2012, he returned to prominence in 2013. That year, he won the Deutsche Bank Championship and The Tour Championship, securing the FedEx Cup. He concluded 2013 by winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, setting a record aggregate score of 263. Throughout this period, he maintained high statistical rankings in ball striking and greens in regulation.
Ryder Cup and Major Championship
His Ryder Cup debut occurred in 2006, where he secured the winning point for the European team by defeating Vaughn Taylor in the Sunday singles. He returned to the event in 2008 at Valhalla. In 2016, Stenson claimed victory at the Open Championship, marking his sole major title. This achievement followed earlier near-misses at major championships, including a runner-up finish at the 2013 Open Championship and a third-place finish at the 2013 PGA Championship.
Fast facts
- Born: 1976, Gothenburg, Sweden
- First professional victory: Benson & Hedges International Open, 2001
- Open Championship winner: 2016
- FedEx Cup champion: 2013
- Total PGA Tour wins: 6
- Highest OWGR ranking: 3rd (November 2013)
Questions readers ask
How many majors did Henrik Stenson win?
He won one major championship, the Open Championship in 2016.
Did Stenson play on the PGA Tour?
Yes, he won six times on the PGA Tour, including The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup.
