Entering the 2013 Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, Henrik Stenson was arguably the hottest golfer on the planet. With a flurry of close calls in several big events over the summer, the 37-year-old Swede had been knocking on victory’s door for quite a spell. The only problem was he had no hardware to show for it. That all changed Labor Day weekend.
Entering the 2013 Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, Henrik Stenson was arguably the hottest golfer on the planet. With a flurry of close calls in several big events over the summer, the 37-year-old Swede had been knocking on victory’s door for quite a spell. The only problem was he had no hardware to show for it. That all changed Labor Day weekend.
Stenson shot a final-round 66 to win the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs, securing his third career title on the PGA TOUR and vaulting him into first place in the FedExCup points list.
With a precise and powerful mix of ballstriking and putting, Stenson dominated, winning by two strokes over Steve Stricker, who closed in at 67. Four shots back in third was Canadian Graham DeLaet, who had just cashed in on a tie for second at The Barclays the week prior.
Stenson’s great play wasn’t completely unexpected — he had been close to victory all summer. In July, he finished runner-up to Phil Mickelson at both the Scottish Open and the Open Championship, and he tied for second at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, behind winner Tiger Woods. One week later, in mid-August, he finished third at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
“I’m just pleased I won here,” said Stenson, whose 22-under 262 tied the tournament record. “This was a big goal of mine to win a golf tournament after all those nice finishes.”
Despite the field’s best efforts, however, no one could catch Stenson. Even when he found trouble in the final round, he never broke a sweat. When his second shot at the par-4 17th found a greenside bunker — the first he’d been in all week — what did Stenson do? He blasted out for birdie.
“I was kind of expecting [to be] standing over a five- or six-footer there,” Stenson said after the round. “Instead, it was the winning shot and closed out the tournament, more or less.”
In hindsight, it was a fitting moment for the big Swede, propelling him into the BMW Championship with a full head of steam and a ‘No. 1’ next to his name on the FedExCup points list.
Stenson never looked back, ultimately winning the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club and claiming the FedExCup title in September, wrapping up his finest moment in the professional game and a season that was nothing short of spectacular.
If you’re anxious to see who will be this year’s version of Stenson at the Deutsche Bank Championship, purchase your tickets today!
