Look forward to playing with Lahiri: Henrik Stenson

EXCLUSIVE to golfingindian.com

One of the world’s top golfers Henrik Stenson is excited to see Lahiri play the Majors and hopes he will get to play with him during the Indian champion’s presence at the WGC events. “Lahiri won two three times in the last few weeks. I haven’t played with him but I am sure I will at some point. I am looking forward to seeing him at the Majors and some of the WGC events,” the world number #2 said in an exclusive interview with golfingindian.com.

Henrik’s contribution to golf has been immense, back-to-back DP World Tour Championships in 2013 & 2014, Race to Dubai & FedEx Cup victories in 2013 and team member of the victorious 2014 Ryder Cup teams amongst many other victories. Stenson sees the rising talent in golf from Asia as an opportunity to grow the game. “It’s trend we are seeing these days. Golf has become really popular in different parts of the world and the interest has come.”

“Look forward to playing with Lahiri: Henrik Stenson”

With the sport now getting inducted into the Olympics in 2016, Stenson expects the sport to spread across continents. It’s here that Asia may see its stars rising. “One can credit this to junior golf, national teams, and now Olympics will improve that development. It’s good fun to see these players.” Countries like India and China are putting in efforts to build golf developments, courses and infrastructure to promote golf. The Jumeirah Golf Estates ambassador believes such efforts prove fruitful in the future and shape the game for years to come. “France put an effort ten-fifteen years ago and they are now seeing good golfers come to the fore,” shared Stenson in his first interview ever to an Indian golf website.

Stenson, who is a nine time winner on the European Tour expects to see himself playing in India someday. “I haven’t yet made it to India. I would like to go before I finish my career,” said the 38-year old golfer. “I would like to get a stint there. I have been on tour playing for 15 years but India is one place I haven’t got to see. It’s always fantastic to travel and also exciting to see that country. As you know when you are living in America and playing a whole lot of world events, reaching out to different parts can be a challenge”

It’s trend we are seeing these days. Golf has become really popular in different parts of the world and the interest has come – Henrik Stenson on Golf in India

His win at the 2013 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, made Stenson the first player to win both The Race to Dubai and the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup in the same season. Stenson notched his highest finish in a Major as the runner-up to Phil Mickelson in The 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield in July 2013, in what was the early stages of a staggering return to form and a period of domination on both sides of the Atlantic. Has won nine individual titles on The European Tour, and also partnered fellow Swede Robert Karlsson to victory in the 2008 World Cup. A family friend introduced him to the game, and he got down to scratch by the age of 18. Won the 2000 Challenge Tour Rankings with a record of eight top ten finishes, which included three wins. Lives in Orlando and is coached by the Dubai-based Pete Cowen. Henrik Stenson is a Global Brand Ambassador for Jumeirah Golf Estates, a European Tour Destination.