Henrik samples Swede smell of success in LA

SEVEN months ago Henrik Stenson had never played a golf tournament in America. Now he gets called in to speak to the media before he has even hit a shot.

The Swede’s rising status - he tops the European Ryder Cup table and is up to 17th in the world from 133rd this time last year - was reflected on his arrival in Los Angeles for the Nissan Open.

Stenson’s first three starts of 2006 have seen him finish second in Abu Dhabi, first in Qatar and seventh in Dubai.