Stenson continues streak, with results yet to satisfy

Henrik Stenson wants to make it clear how impressive his streak of Masters Tour­nament starts has been.

When asked about playing in his 10th Masters this year, Stenson quickly added that it would be his “10th consecutive” Masters.

“I think that’s exciting to be exempt for 10 straight years without having won it,” he said. “If you win it, it’s kind of easy.”

Masters champions, of course, earn lifetime invitations.

“It’s somewhat of an achievement; I don’t think too many who haven’t won it have (that long a streak),” Stenson said.

In 2013, Stenson got his invite at the 11th hour with a tie for second in Houston, which was held two weeks before the Masters. That showing moved him into the world’s top 50 and punched his ticket to Augusta National.

“I was very happy in 2013 to have a good finish in Houston to keep the streak alive,” he said.

Stenson should also be proud of this: He has been in the top six in the world ranking since Sept. 1, 2013. He capped that season by winning the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour and the Race to Du­bai on the European Tour.

Asked to assess his record at Augusta National, Stenson said, “It’s a major that I’ve got my worst high finish. I’ve managed to be second at the (British) Open, I’ve got fourth at the U.S. Open last year and a couple of thirds at the PGA. I think 14th is my best at Augusta, so I wish to improve on that.”

Stenson, who could have moved to No. 1 in the world with a win last year in the Masters, was right – his tie for 14th in 2014 was his best finish at Augusta National.

“I definitely feel like if I’m on, my game should be able to bring me something better than 14th,” he said. “I would like to get some better results, I’m not going to lie about that. I need to play a little bit better.”

Stenson might be best known in the Masters for the wrong reason.

In the first round of the 2012 Masters, he was leading at 5-under when he came to the 18th hole. He made quadruple bogey 8 that left him at 71.

“I’ll try to avoid that again,” said Stenson, who tied for 40th in 2012 after a final-round 81.

The 8 he made on No. 18 “could happen anywhere,” he said. “On a tough golf course like that, it’s prone to happen even more if you have a bad day. I don’t think I’m going to stand on 18 tee box at any time feeling like ‘I hope I don’t make another snowman up here.’ That’s not going to be the mindset. You’ve got to pick your shots, make your best swing and move on.”

Stenson is hoping a lighter schedule will give him a “little bit more spring in my step” going into the Masters.

“I was pretty tired when I was around the spring last year,” he said.

To avoid that happening again, he took a month off before returning to competition in early March at Doral, where he finished in a tie for fourth place in the WGC-Cadillac Champion­ship.

“There are many times I feel like I’ve been playing very average to below average when I got there (Augusta National), and it’s not the kind of golf course you can find your game,” Stenson said. “You’re not going to find confidence in your game around there. It’s been too much trying to find my game on Monday and Tuesday on that driving range instead of being ready when you actually show up. I’m excited and we’ll see if that plan works out.”