stenson laughs off nightmare nine

By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport

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Ryder Cup hopeful Henrik Stenson took a light-hearted view of his nine at the 16th - the highest score for any hole this week.

The Swede finished up by three-putting the hole then quipped: "That was the icing on the cake."

Stenson took PA Sport through his torment bit by bit.

He explained: "I was in the trap up against the lip and it took me three whacks to get it out of there.

"Then I hit my four-iron fifth shot into the left hand trap and that left me a long bunker shot.

"To cap it all I three-putted for a nice little nine."

Stenson was still in shock at the following hole and chalked up a double bogey six.

However he retrieved the situation slightly with a birdie at the last to post a 74.

He said: "It was a real bad horror finish. That nine killed my round today."

Yet Stenson was on course for a low total as he stood on the 12th tee after picking up four shots on the day and moving to five under.

But he bogeyed that hole before his troubles really began to kick in at Hoylake and he came home in 42.

Stenson though insists he can bounce back in the final round tomorrow.

He said: "I played well today - much better than the first two days. More than anything my putting was much better.

"I have just got to look at the positives more than anything.

"There are still some good things about my game and some things I need to work on."