Henrik Stenson: Has Major Victory Window Closed?
By Danny Norris
Has the window of opportunity officially shut for Henrik Stenson?
Every golfer has that time period where they are at their peak. For some it’s a very short window; maybe one to three years. For the all-time greats it’s close to a decade, and for the rest it’s a good three to five years or so.
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I was thinking about Henrik Stenson the other day. Stenson has been one of the best golfers, if not the best golfer, without a major victory on his resume for the last couple of years now.
After knocking on the door from 2008 to 2010, his game went in the toilet. Stenson was 230th in the Official World Golf Rankings to start the 2012 season.
Stenson scratched and clawed his way back from obscurity to one of the best golfers in the world for the last couple of years now. As I mentioned at the top, one of the best golfers right now without a major. But, this year, things maybe changing as Stenson has yet to record a top ten at a major.
Stenson’s best finish this year was at The Masters where he was sick and finished T-19. At the time, it was encouraging to think that even though he was sick and lost a lot of weight, he still managed to finish T-19.
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You had to think a healthy Stenson would definitely contend and perhaps win at either the U.S. Open or The Open. Two tournaments hosted on courses that fit his game like a glove.
Unfortunately, Stenson couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. After round one at the U.S. Open he was leading, but he quickly fell off and finished T-27. Stenson followed that up with a very disappointing T-40 finish at The Open Championship where he didn’t contend at all.
When you factor all that in it got me wondering: has the window of opportunity closed on Henrik Stenson?
Stenson is 39 years and will turn 40 two days before The Masters kicks off next year. It’s very rare for golfers in their 40’s to win a major.
In the last 43 majors, only two golfers have won majors over the age of 40, Phil Mickelson and Darren Clarke both at The Open Championship.
Before we start looking into next year, Stenson will have one more opportunity to get off the major schnide as Whistling Straits is hosting the PGA Championship.
Whistling Straits is a links-like course that tilts in favor of bombers. When you factor in just how straight Stenson hits the ball off the tee and how superb his wedge game is, he should be in contention.
The key word there is “should” because he should have been in contention on Sunday at the U.S. Open and/or The Open, but he wasn’t.
All in all, to answer my own question, has the window officially closed for Stenson? I’m willing to believe that his window hasn’t shut yet, but it’s getting pretty darn close. I want to see how he’ll perform next week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Firestone has treated bombers really well over the years and it would be very encouraging to see Stenson in contention. If he is, then I do like his chances at Whistling Straits.
Typically, when Stenson is hot he stays hot. Remember that historic run he went on back in 2013? Stenson was the best golfer from that summer/fall period in 2013.
Stenson went on to win both the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai. Absolutely incredible stuff. It’s such a shame he couldn’t pick up the Claret Jug and/or the Wanamaker in that span.
Anyway, what do you guys think? Will Henrik Stenson win a major in his career? Do you think he’ll do it at the PGA Championship this year? Has his window of opportunity closed? Let me know what you think in the comments below.