Ice-cool Stenson keeps inner fire under control

GIVEN the composed, unflinching manner in which Henrik Stenson became only the third European golfer to win the Players Championship at Sawgrass on Sunday, it would be easy to underestimate the extent of the progress made by a Swedish golfer who didn't always exert such a strong grip on his emotions.

There was a time when the length of Stenson's ambition as a golfer was occasionally matched by the shortness of his fuse and frustration got the better of him. He always had the desire to reach the top, but how he handled that drive was once an issue.

Now, however, the Swede mixes a potent cocktail of ice and fire in his game. His performance in overwhelming Alex Cjeka, who took a five stroke lead into the final round of the Players, was as even-keeled as any of the world's best golfers could have wished to execute in Ponte Vedra.

Using his 3 wood to plot a steady route round a treacherous lay-out and card an error-free closing round of 66 for a 12 under par total – he won by four strokes from Ian Poulter – Stenson's flawless golf even won high praise from Tiger Woods. "Pretty incredible," enthused the game's best player. "Henrik played great. We all know he's got all the talent in the world to do this. It was just a matter of time before he put it together. To do it on this stage was pretty impressive."

The control of emotion was every bit as critical as Stenson's command of line and distance in Florida. A powerful hitter with a gifted short game, patience and dependability were the qualities which earned him a cheque for $1.7million. And the world No5 didn't shy away from the importance of handling his mental state in order to match the successes of Sergio Garcia and Sandy Lyle at Sawgrass. "I probably controlled myself as well as I've ever done," he said. "Even if I hadn't played as well and won this tournament, I still felt if I can be in that good state of mind and control myself as well as I've done this week then I'm bound to win some great tournaments further down the line."

It's fair to say he was not always so mentally strong. The Swede was once fined by the European Tour after slamming his wedge on a green during the European Masters. And there were complaints from some TV viewers four years ago following the Dunhill Links when he gestured as if about to spit on the eighth green at the Old Course. If there was an aspect of his game which threatened to hold him back a few years ago, it was what was going on between his ears.

It was at Sawgrass in 2006 when Stenson gave the first indication composure was catching up with ability. Third on his debut at the Players that spring in spite of a poor ball striking week, he confessed: "It just shows you what you can do when you keep the head on."

Three years on, he's an established Ryder Cup player who knows a combination of solid ball striking and calm course management was instrumental on him securing the biggest stroke play title of his career so far.

Where once he was advised on the mental side of the game by sports psychologist Torsten Hansson, the 33-year-old is now assisted by Bob Rotella, who also works with Padraig Harrington. He's grateful to both men, as well as the soothing influence of caddie Fanny Sunesson.

But arguably the key influence in Stenson's rise to become a world class golfer is coach Pete Cowen. It was the Englishman who re-built the Swede's swing after his game imploded at the European Open in 2001, when his long game was so wildly erratic he walked off at the K Club after nine holes.

Now the Swede is enjoying the good times. Indeed, it's entirely feasible Stenson could become the first male Scandinavian golfer to win a major this summer. Last year he was third in the Open and fourth in the US PGA. Bearing in mind how Jesper Parnevik came up just a little short at Turnberry 15 years ago, it would be fitting if Stenson made amends at the Ailsa in July.