Stenson to spend more time Stateside

World number eight Henrik Stenson has defended his decision to rejoin the US PGA Tour this year. The Swede first joined the US PGA Tour in 2007 but let his membership lapse in 2008 and 2009.
Now he has rejoined the US PGA Tour, indicating he will contest the minimum 15 events while also satisfying European Tour membership by playing 12 Race to Dubai-counting tournaments.
"I've taken up membership this season so I will spend most of the spring and summer in America until the later part of the season," Stenson told reporters on the eve of the Qatar Masters.
"There were a couple of different reasons but family-wise it's convenient to be based over there and have the family in the States and also, all of the big events are in America, from the Accenture Match Play (next month) until the US Open (in June).
"I felt it was time to take up membership again. Great tournaments, great weather and great competition 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 here and there," said the 33-year-old.
Stenson, who has joined Rory McIlroy by committing to the 2010 US PGA Tour, is among nine of the world's top-20 playing in Qatar this week.
World number 13 Kenny Perry is also in the field and has called on Tiger Woods to end his self-imposed exile from golf.
Woods is taking an indefinite break from the sport after admitting last month he had cheated on his wife.
"Tiger needs to come back for himself rather than his golf and when he does I'm going to give him a hug and shake his hand and tell him if he needs to talk or if I can help in any way, I will," Perry told reporters on the eve of the Qatar Masters.
"Tiger needs to come back as, you know, we (in golf) are his family too . . . if he comes back to us I'm sure he'll get a lot of support from the players, I really do."
After being heavily criticised for skipping the 2008 Open, Perry indicated he would compete in July's edition at St Andrews.
"I really got crucified when I elected not to contest the 2008 British Open," he said."But I finished sixth in Milwaukee and I was able to accomplish my goal and make the Ryder Cup team.
"My whole life has been in America, now I'm comfortable with my life and I want to see the world a little bit. It's a great opportunity for me to come over here and see what it's all about and I'm pleasantly surprised."