Henrik Stenson handed Olympic Games golf organisers a timely green baton after muscling his way to a share of the lead on day two of the BMW International Open in Germany.
The world’s top-ranked Swede didn’t drop a shot in a seven under par 65 to join Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin (68) and Thailand’s KIradech Aphibarnrat (64) atop of the board at 11-under par on the Gut Larcenhof course near Dusseldorf.
Earlier in the week golf’s return to the Olympic arena after a 112-year absence was dealt another blow with the withdrawal of four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy.
Then no sooner had McIlroy withdrawn and Ireland reserve, Graeme McDowell announced he was not about to leave his heavily pregnant wife to compete in Rio.
Now top-ranked South African Branden Grace, winner earlier this year of back-to-back Qatar Masters crowns, is the latest to withdraw citing fears also in contracting the Zika virus.
Henrik Stenson delivers Olympic Games golf a positive note.
Grace, 28 is due to be married later this year to Nikki Coetzee and the sister to fellow Tour player, George Coetzee.
And speculation is rife, World No. 1 Jason Day could be on the verge of withdrawing from the Olympics and leaving the Aussie team in further disarray after both Adam Scott and Marc Leishman pulled out.
Masters champion and new father, Danny Willett also has not confirmed fully to the Olympics while Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who won a million Hilton Hotel ‘Honour’ points for a second round ace in Germany, says: “I’m still not 100% I am going to the Olympics.”
Stenson has three children aged from nine to the youngest who is two but unlike his golfing colleagues is very focused on winning gold for Sweden.
“The Olympics golf is looking a bit of a mixed bag with some guys not going especially with Rory and now Graeme dropping out but everyone has to look at their schedules differently and are free to make their own decisions on where you play and when you play,” he said.
“I can’t really comment on why some players have decided not to go to the Olympics.
“But I do know I am looking forward to the experience of marching out behind the Swedish flag and then hopefully proudly seeing the Swedish flag the highest at the end of not only the men’s golf but also the women’s competition.
“So for me, it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am grasping it with both hands.”
Stirling’s Craig Lee is best of the Scots adding a 69 to his opening 70 to inside the top-20 at five under par.
Lee three-putted his first for bogey but then raced to three under par with four birdies in succession from his third hole.
“It was a bit annoying to three putt the first but I managed to quickly turn it around, so I am delighted with that,” he said.
“We’re only at the halfway stage and with plenty of holes still to play but it is one of those golf courses that produces plenty of birdies that is not normally my cup of tea.
“But I have putted pretty well for two days but then it’s all about finding the fairways and then the greens as there is no secret recipe to any other golf we play.”
Richie Ramsay says his mobile phone went into meltdown with countless offers from his mates looking to buy the £130,000 BMW M760 Li V-12 luxury sedan he won for an ace a day earlier.
“My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with the boys offering the take the car off my hands for a small fee,” said Ramsay smiling.
“I am still surprised how much the car is worth.”
Then when Ramsay returned to the 16th tee on day two he looked back to the car he’d won saying to himself: “Is that mine? Is that mine? Oh, yes it is. But I was also thinking I just hope nobody scratches it.”
And in playing the 16th for a second time Ramsay said: “I hit a lovely shot to about 20 feet for a two-putt par but then nothing could beat yesterday’s shot (smiling).”
