Stenson wants revenge
Super Swede Henrik Stenson is gunning for Ryder Cup revenge against US tough nut Zach Johnson.
Europe's highest ranked player lost to Johnson and Scott Verplank at the K Club when he teamed up with Padraig Harrington in the Saturday fourballs.
Now he's determined to avenge that 2 and 1 defeat by sending Johnson packing in the first round of the WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship at The Gallery in Tucson.
Asked what he thought of Johnson, the World No 8 rapped: "Well, it gives me a chance to get pay pack for the K Club, where he beat me and Padraig. He is a good player, a fighter, so that is going to be a tough match.
"I just said to him that at least this time one of us would be getting through to the second round.
"He played great at the K Club in the fourball match. He is a tough competitor, never gives up and it is going to be a tough match."
Stenson is now the highest ranked European in the world rankings and brimming with confidence after his win over an elite field in the Dubai Desert Classic last month.
The Dubai based Swede, 30, saw off Ernie Els, Niclas Fasth and Tiger Woods on the final day at the Emirates Club two weeks ago.
He hasn't touched his club since then, taking time off to go on honeymoon with his wife.
He added: "It was really nice to win my home tournament and have a break afterwards. You can sit back and enjoy it a bit more.
"I played 331 tournaments last year without much of a break and I started this year with four tournaments, so I am trying to pace myself a little more this season."
Stenson has a fine matchplay record and three top three finishes in WGC events, including the 2005 American Express Championship.
Last year he lost to Chad Campbell in the second round at La Costa, but he plans to concentrate on battling the course rather than the man this time.
He said: "It always has a tendency to be pretty tight and comes down to a couple of holes. You take it as it comes but the most important thing is to focus on your own game and not what your opponent does."