'They Removed My Ankle Bracelet' - Henrik Stenson Discusses Future Plans As LIV Golf Penalty Comes To An End

Henrik Stenson hits a tee shot at the opening hole of The Open — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Where does the time go? It's been 10 years since Henrik Stenson got the better of Phil Mickelson in that epic at Royal Troon - and the 50-year-old looked in fine form on the opening day at Royal Birkdale, carding a tidy two-under 68.

He was in good spirits off it, too, as he revealed his plans for the future going into the “last couple of holes of my career”.

“I mean, time flies, as we know, waits for no one. Sometimes it feels like it certainly was a decade ago,” said Stenson, who birdied three out of the last four holes.

“With other things, yeah, you feel like maybe it was a little more recent - at least when you hit a 5-iron to six feet to make it on the last, you probably feel like it wasn't that long ago.”

Stenson, who is playing in his 21st Open, defected to LIV Golf but was relegated after last season.

Currently, he has been paying his penalty with a one-year suspension from the PGA Tour before he can begin playing on the Champions Tour.

Henrik Stenson Open Birkdale — Stenson in round one action at Royal Birkdale

“From end of August, they removed my ankle bracelet, and I'll be out of that one-year probation,” he joked.

“I played the last LIV event 24th of August last year, so I'm kind of reinstated as a member, and I'm free to play PGA Tour-sanctioned tournaments from the 25th of August this year.”

Although Stenson is gearing up to have a proper crack at the over-50 circuit, he also has other commitments to focus on, including his course design business.

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“I'll definitely play some golf next year, all things being well, but I feel like I might give myself a window, say 15th of February until the 15th of October, that's when I play my golf. I certainly enjoy having an off-season,” said the 11-time DP World Tour winner.

“I think it's good for me, and at this stage of my life and my career, I want to have some time at home as well.

“I can see myself kind of finding that window what suits me, and I'll play hopefully some good golf and good tournaments within that.”

The former Open champion added: “I've done this for 28 years now, playing two tours, one season kind of tagging onto the next.

“Being in season, not playing every week, as you know, but being in season for near 10-and-a-half months throughout the year, and I guess it gets to a point where the body says, ' How about a little break?’

Speaking more about his course design projects, Stenson said: “I played some of the great golf courses. I played some of the not so great golf courses.

Henrik Stenson clinches The Open at Troon in 2016 — Stenson got the better of Mickelson at Royal Troon in a two-horse thriller

“Over the years you find what you like, and then I try and implement that into the golf course design.

“I'm not doing five or ten courses a year. I'm kind of choosing carefully, and we have a few projects in the pipeline. I'm still focusing on golf, but it's still something I enjoy doing.”

A year after he lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Troon in 2016, Stenson finished just outside the top 10 at Royal Birkdale.

He also finished third at the Southport venue in 2008 and tied 13th at Royal Liverpool three years ago.

Despite being comfortable on the links and seemingly having a liking for the north west of England, he’s not getting too far ahead of himself.

“Clearly, this is a style of golf and a tournament that I'm fairly familiar with. Happy to have a good start,” he reflected.

Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. A multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the England football team, The FA Cup, London 2012, Wembley Stadium, and the FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest brands and has developed an in-depth knowledge of the equipment side of the industry. He's a regular contributor, covering equipment, travel, instruction, and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars and has attended and reported on numerous Major Championships and Ryder Cups around the world. A single figure golfer (just), he's a member of Formby Golf Club in Merseyside, one of the 35 Top 100 courses he’s ticked off to date.