Henrik Stenson excited to return home

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson says he cannot wait to play on home soil as he prepares to play at the Scandinavian Invitation. The world number 34 has never won at home while playing on the European Tour, with his only success coming at the European Challenge Tour at the Gula Sidorna Grand Prix in 2000.

Stenson has finished second in this event on two occasions and he is hoping to build on his recent form. The fan favourite has finished inside the top 30 in his last five events and admits he cannot wait to play in front of his own fans.

He told the European Tour: “We’ve got to play some really good golf for the next four days if we’re going to have a chance, but we’ll see. Take each day as it comes; I feel like I’m going to try and enjoy myself this week.

“It was great appreciation from the crowds a few years ago so we’ll try to ride on that and see if we can produce a few birdies along the way. “It’s always fun to come back home and play. We’re looking forward to the week.

There’s a lot of familiar faces; it feels a bit like a class reunion for me coming back home, so it’s going to be a fun week. “We always manage to get good crowds at this event over the years. I’m excited to be back. It’s fun to be back home and playing in front of the Swedish crowds.”

England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick is the joint-favourite with Stenson at odds of 9.00, while fellow Swede Alex Noren is priced at 13.00 to lift the trophy.