Stenson returns to US PGA Tour

Players Championship winner Henrik Stenson has rejoined the US PGA Tour for the 2010 season.

The 33-year-old Swede was already 90% certain to take up membership this year before winning at TPC Sawgrass, with his exemption for landing the 2007 WGC - Accenture Match Play running out at the end of 2010.

Stenson, who will base himself in Orlando, insists he received no pressure from the US PGA Tour after winning their flagship event and the biggest title of his career last May.

“Family-wise it’s convenient and also all of the big events are pretty much in America from the Match Play up until the US Open and then I just add a couple in between,” Stenson said ahead of this week’s Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

“I was a member in 2007 and I felt that it was time to take up the membership again. There are great tournaments and great weather and great competition as well, so it’s got a lot going for it.

“But obviously Europe is still my home tour and I’ll be making a few visits.”

Stenson finished 18th in the Race to Dubai last year, while he played 10 counting events on the PGA Tour including the majors and World Golf Championships tournaments, although that is set to rise to at least 15.

“I feel I get a better rhythm to my schedule if I play the early part of the season in the States and then to be able to throw a couple of the regular US PGA Tour events in,” added the world number eight.

“I haven’t played much in the spring in Europe over the last couple of years anyway. It’s not going to make any difference to my tournaments in Europe.

“It would be the odd tournament during the summer and then obviously I’m hoping to have a successful FedEx series leading into the Ryder Cup. I will stay over in America from the Bridgestone and onwards, hopefully all the way to the Ryder Cup.”