Henrik Stenson of Sweden celebrates his 3 shot victory with wife Emma after the final round of the BMW International Open at Gut Larchenhof on June 26, 2016 in Cologne, Germany. (Getty)
Henrik Stenson won The Open two weeks ago and is now in fifth place following two rounds of 3-under 67 at the PGA Championship. Stenson trails co-leaders Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb by 3 shots at Baltusrol.
“I’m very happy to be able to follow up the success at Troon with a couple of strong rounds here and be in good position,” he told reporters on Friday. “We know it’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s all about being there for Sunday afternoon, and so far, so good. You’re not winning anything on a Thursday and a Friday, but you can put yourself in the wrong direction early days.”
Throughout Stenson’s career, his wife Emma Löfgren has been by his side. Here’s what you need to know about their life together.
1. They Met Through Mutual Friends
Henrik Stenson and his wife Emma pose with the Race To Dubai trophy and the DP World Tour Championship trophy after Stenson won the DP World Tour Championship in 2013. (Getty)
Stenson and Löfgren both grew up in Sweden and met through mutual golfing friends. They went on their first date in 1997 during the Swedish Junior Match Play Championships.
When they met, Löfgren was a member of the golf team at the University of South Carolina. While she was playing at South Carolina, Stenson was able to spend a lot of time with her there. Puggy Blackmon, who was head of the men’s golf program at South Carolina, allowed Stenson to practice with the team.
In 1999, Löfgren helped the Lady Gamecocks to a 14th place finish at the NCAA Division I Championships. She posted top ten finishes in four tournaments during her college career. Löfgren graduated from South Carolina with a degree in Public Relations and Media in 2000. Following her graduation, Löfgren worked as a teaching pro at Barsebäck Golf and Country Club.
On his personal website Stenson wrote about their shared understanding of golf:
Since we both have a golfing background, we have a mutual understanding of the game and what it takes to succeed.
Following Stenson’s British Open victory at Royal Troon, Löfgren called the experience “unbelievable” and “so well-deserved.”
In an interview with Golf Channel, Löfgren said how proud she was to see her husband earn the Claret Jug.
“I’m so excited that he got the chance,” she said. “Not many golfers get the chance to hold the Claret Jug, or any other major championship so I’m happy for him.”
However, Löfgren also said it can be very challenging to keep emotions in check, while watching Stenson.
When asked how it was to watch him play in the British Open, she told Golf Channel:
It was terrible. It’s one of the hardest days of my life. Being out there four or five hours, knowing what could happen, can happen, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself, which you can’t do in this game. I’ve been out on tour with him for almost 20 years, and we’ve gone through ups and downs, and I’m so happy this one went his way.
2. They Wed in 2016
Henrik and Emma Stenson pose at the 2014 Ryder Cup Gala Dinner at Gleneagles Hotel on September 24, 2014. (Getty)
The couple tied the knot in 2006 in Dubai. Stenson and Löfgren lived there for six years before moving to the United States. They currently reside in Orlando, Florida. Löfgren and their children try to join Stenson’s travels as much as their schedule allows.
3. They Have 3 Children
Henrik Stenson poses with his wife, Emma and baby daughter Lisa after the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on December 7, 2008 in Sun City, South Africa. (Getty)
The couple has three children together. Two of their three children being born in Dubai. Stenson and Löfgren’s first child, Lisa was born in July 2007. Karl, or Kalle as his family calls him, was born in March 2010. They had their youngest, Alice, in October 2014.
4. Löfgren Was a Competitive Skier
Henrik Stenson kisses his wife Emma in celebration after the winning putt during the final round on day four of the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon on July 17, 2016 in Troon, Scotland. (Getty)
Growing up in the northern part of Sweden, Löfgren is no stranger to skiing. She comes from a sporting family, and participated in alpine skiing and golf in her youth. Although golf ultimately became Löfgren’s sport of choice, she still enjoys skiing and snowmobiling when her and Stenson visit Sweden.
5. Stenson Was the First in His Family to Play Golf
Side plank with a kiss! New exercise on my “home” program! Arnold Palmer invitational tomorrow at Bay hill! H
Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Stenson is the son of Mona and Ingemar, and his sister, Ulrika, is 10 years younger. Although no one in his family played golf, Stenson was introduced to the sport when a friend took him to a driving range.
His father eventually started playing the game because he grew impatient waiting for Henrik in the parking lot, according to Swing by Swing.
Stenson is now one of the highest-earning golfers in the world and has an estimated net worth of $25 million, according to Sport Rich List.