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NORTON, Mass. (AP) — Henrik Stenson didn’t need a big trophy to prove himself that he belonged among the elite in golf.

After enduring the second slump of his career — the latest a product of bad play more than a lost swing — he began to turn the corner late last year by winning the South African Open.

The 37-year-old Swede broke through on Labor Day with his best performance of the year to win the Deutsche Bank Championship.

He started the final round two shots behind Sergio Garcia, surged ahead with three straight birdies, came out even sharper after a twohour rain delay, and put away Steve Stricker by holing a bunker shot on the 17th hole.

Stenson closed with a 5- under 66 for a two-shot victory over Stricker. He didn’t refer to it so much as validation as “icing on the cake.”

“I was longing for a win, and I got it,” said Stenson, who tied a tournament record at 22-under 262 on the rain-softened TPC Boston.



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