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Nordea Masters: Sweden's Henrik Stenson wants a strong week on home soil

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 14: Henrik Stenson of Sweden lines up a putt on the 12th hole during round one at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on
Image: Henrik Stenson: Still searching for a first win of 2015

Sweden's Henrik Stenson is hoping home advantage will help him secure a first win of the season when he returns to action at this week's Nordea Masters.

The world No 4 has battled health and fitness issues during the first half of the season, but will be hoping to
reproduce his late-season form of 2013, when he was second in the Open and third in the US PGA Championship on his way to becoming the first player to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup in the same year.

"I got sick which set me back for about six weeks," Stenson admitted. "First I had proper man-flu which was horrible, then I got a vomiting bug that the kids had when we were at Augusta, so I came off one bad thing and straight into another one, then I had back-to-back colds.

Henrik Stenson: Lost a two stroke lead in his final round
Image: Stenson: Let slip a final round advantage at the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this year

"At that point I felt like if anyone sneezed within 500 yards of me I was getting it because my immune system was so low and broken down.

"But I've recovered and had a few good weeks in the gym, so I'm feeling healthy, but I'm playing catch-up which is hard in the middle of the season. I'll do the best I can and hopefully have a good second half of the year."

Thongchai Jaidee: Back to defend his title
Image: Thongchai Jaidee: Back to defend his title

Stenson was fifth at PGA Sweden National last year, narrowly missing out on the play-off between eventual winner Thongchai Jaidee and Ryder Cup team-mates Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher.

"It's great to come back," the 39-year-old added. "I really received a warm welcome last year, there was so much support for me and all the other Swedish players.

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"I didn't have my best finish and ran out of steam a bit on the Sunday. I still had a chance on the 18th and needed to make a birdie to be in the play-off, but that didn't happen. Hopefully I can be there until the end this year.

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"I grew up watching the event outside the ropes, then in 1996 I played my first one as an amateur and I've been part of it for most years since."

Stenson will partner defending champion Thongchai Jaidee and last week's Irish Open winner Soren Kjeldsen in the first two rounds, while Dane Thomas Bjorn begins his quest for a maiden Nordea Masters triumph alongside Swede Alex Noren and in-form veteran Miguel Angel Jiménez.

Miguel Angel Jimenez celebrates his hole-in-one on the 2nd hole during day 3 of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth
Image: Miguel Angel Jimenez: Continues to impress on the European Tour

"I’ve been playing well," Jimenez said. "I’m feeling good and my game is in good shape. I played here last year and liked the course, liked the place.

Watch the Nordea Masters on Thursday from 10am live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. 

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