How Swede It Is

Mental lapses and a hot temper had gotten the better of Stenson in recent years – the most graphic example of affliction might have been the cut hand incurred from a snapped shaft during the 2011 US. Open at Congressional, as he and former caddie Fanny Sunneson performed running repairs on a wound oozing blood late in the final round.

The fire within was evident as recently as the BMW Championship at Conway Farms, where he slammed his driver into the ground after finding a hazard off the tee on the 72nd hole. The ground won, as it often does, and his caddie didn’t even flinch as his boss retrieved the strewn pieces of the offending weapon before double-bogeying the hole. He then proceeded to take out his continuing frustration on his unfortunate locker, for which he later apologised.

He blamed the most recent signs of anguish in part on growing fatigue levels, something the supremely athletic Stenson was not alone in vocalising as an unrelenting schedule throughout the summer months took an increasing toll. However, the physical improvements in his game have been evident all year long and a range of statistical data backs them up.

"If you look at Henrik’s stats, he just doesn’t have a weakness," Cowen said. 'He’s now got a lot more control over what he’s doing and his confidence is sky high."

In Atlanta, Stenson ranked first in greens in regulation, third in driving accuracy but most importantly, third in strokes gained on the greens.

His dominance over the second half of the season is of no surprise when you examine an array of season stats that are the envy of most – seventh in fairways hit, third in total driving, first in greens in regulation, first in ball striking and fourth in scoring.

Cowen added: "If Henrik gets a sniff of winning a tournament then he’ll most likely win it. He could have won two Majors already this year but was only beaten by two players who had better final days.

"Now he’s back at the top, he’s confident and able to handle all the pressure there is."