Until a few days ago, only a relatively small number of golf enthusiasts knew much about Henrik Stenson. Although the 40-year-old Swede has been a regular participant on the American PGA and European circuits for nearly 20 years, he has only just won his first major – the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland.
Stenson’s achievement can be seen as another victory for Scandinavian sport following the giant-killing performances of Iceland’s football team at this summer’s European Championship. In the broader context, it can also be viewed as another win for the underdog, or perhaps even some kind of changing of the guard – a reminder that it won’t always be the same names at the top of the leader board or engraved on the trophy.
It’s also a taste of what’s to come at the Olympic Games next month, when many sportsmen and women we haven’t yet heard of will thrust themselves into the international spotlight.
