LIV Golf London perfect preparation for The Open, says Henrik Stenson

Henrik Stenson is confident his first appearance at LIV Golf Invitational London will serve as the perfect preparation for the 2023 Open Championship.

One of golf’s biggest names, Swede Stenson is looking to reclaim The Open crown he won in 2016 when he heads to Royal Liverpool in July.

LIV’s finest have been at the heart of the drama at the first three majors of 2023, with Brooks Koepka claiming the PGA Championship after he and Phil Mickelson finished tied-second at the Masters.

Looking ahead to a busy summer, Stenson is hoping to go the distance at Hoylake and hopes a successful weekend in Hemel Hempstead will gear him up for another Open charge.

“I’m getting two weeks of competition ahead of The Open,” said Stenson, who will also play LIV Golf Valderrama a week before London.

“When I finish in London it’s going to be a bit of rest and recuperation for a few days, I’ll be going back to Sweden, and I’ll go and play some golf over the week.

“We don’t have many links courses in Sweden, I’ll play a round or two on the ones that are available and then fly in.”

Stenson’s sole major win to date was one to remember as he shot a record 20-under to finish three strokes ahead of Mickelson at Royal Troon seven years ago.

The 47-year-old has a best finish of T39 in his two previous visits to Hoylake but feels those learnings will stand him in good stead this time around.

“I’ve played two Open Championships at Royal Liverpool in the past, so I feel like I’ve got a pretty good idea about the courses and it’s about getting used to the bounces and the firmness of the playing surfaces,” said Stenson. “There is also a bit of recalculation depending on the conditions we have at the previous tournaments.

“Normally if you have 150 yards you would try and land it 148, but at The Open it’s a case of getting in the mindset that I need to land this 9-iron at 140 as it’s going to take a good six- or seven-yard hop.

“So, there are some small readjustments, but I feel confident I’ll get this sorted.”

In the meantime, Stenson is eagerly looking forward to his LIV London bow and playing his part in a fantastic sporting spectacle.

“It will feel like a home event, just as Orlando did with a big part of the team based there,” he added.

“London will be just the same and there are a lot of things lined up.

“I can assure you it’s going to be a fun and action-packed week.”