Henrik Stenson has rounded off the 2016 season with yet another title, picking up the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal in his native Sweden in recognition of his achievements, particularly his Open Championship victory.
Known as Bragdguldet, the annual award recognises “the most significant Swedish sports achievement of the year", and Stenson took the honour this time out after he became the first Swede to claim a Major title with his win at the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon.
His epic battle with Phil Mickelson was described by the Bragdguldet jury, led by Swedish morning paper Svenska Dagbladet, as a “barrier-breaking feat of ice-coolness and technical brilliance in a historical duel.”
Speaking to the assembled audience at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, by video link from his home in Florida, Stenson said:
“I'm really proud and happy to receive this award. Of course it is great to receive recognition for the best season of my career and to see my name alongside so many greats from Swedish sports history.”
Stenson is only the second golfer to win the award after Annika Sorenstam in 1995. She was quick to congratulate her compatriot, saying:
“I'm incredibly happy for Henrik. His victory in The Open was historic in many ways, not only in Sweden but throughout the world.”
Stenson enjoyed a stellar 2016, topping the Race to Dubai Rankings thanks in no small part to his win at The Open, where he created Major Championship history with the lowest ever winning total of 264.
Victory at the 2016 BMW International Open in June proved to be the catalyst for a stunning summer, which also included a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rio.
