Amid the continuing uncertainty and controversy in the men’s professional game there does remain a respect for the abilities of those either side of the LIV Golf and PGA Tour fence.

Playing in question, Henrik Stenson.

The Swede’s name was golfing mud when the then 2023 Ryder Cup elect signed for LIV Golf that led the unprecedented action in being stripped of the 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy.

Stenson’s name is probably still taboo in any conversation concerning the European Ryder team but when it comes to approaching the now 47-year-old for comment, and in this case, the up-coming 151^st Open Championship he was the forever obliging champion golfer.

I have been ‘annoying’ Stenson for many years along with being close to his pathway to the scorer’s hut as the new Open Champion, and he recognised me and shook my out-stretched hand moments after the Swede had done the same a few minutes earlier with a crestfallen Phil Mickelson.

Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy

Stenson is one of the golfing media good guys.

In returning this year to Royal Liverpool, I asked him what he thought of it being now nine-years since Rory McIlroy last won a major, and in capturing the 2014 Open Championship.

Stenson had finished mid-field that year but two years out-duelled Mickelson in a drama-charged final round in becoming still the only Swede to lift the Claret Jug.

“Rory has been playing pretty solid golf for a long while now,and his name was up there again at the U.S. Open with a chance to win,” said Stenson.

“It’s all about putting yourself in position but then sometimes it takes some of us longer than other times to win, whether it be a major or otherwise.

“I’m not sure what it the reason he hasn’t managed to add to his total of major championship wins since twenty fourteen.

“Those are the stats but then I guess it is the old saying that the more times you put yourself into position, the bigger the chance you are going to win.

“The strong aspect Rory has in his favour is he does know how to win, and that’s always been a strong aspect in his make-up”.

As always Henrik, thank you for your time.