Henrik Stenson's rental home in Southport

broken into while he was playing

FROM GOLF DIGEST

SOUTHPORT, Lancashire– Henrik Stenson has a message for the people who burglarised his rental home Thursday afternoon.
“If they’re listening, they didn’t get the full jackpot,” Stenson said after shooting three-over 73 to make the cut at the 146th Open.
However, according to Merseyside Police, the burglars did steal several items, including cash, cards, electrical items, clothes and watches, when they hit the home sometime between midday and 2:45 p.m. local time Thursday, while defending champion Stenson was in the middle of a one-under 69 opening round at Royal Birkdale. No one was home at the time.
“I think it was anger from the word go,” Stenson said. “I was also happy that my family wasn’t there, and maybe a little disappointed I wasn’t. But what can you do? I think over time I’ve been quite lucky with those kind of situations.
"So I guess sooner or later, there’s always a chance it might happen. And unfortunately it did. And it was this week.”
Stenson said the burglars missed his carry-on bag, and he had another bag filled with dirty laundry, so he was able to wash some clothes to wear on Friday. Stenson’s apparel sponsor Hugo Boss, which is the official apparel provider for the Open, had to scramble to replace the rest of Stenson’s stolen clothing.
“The Hugo Boss clothing taken is very personal to the victim and can be identified by a distinctive NETJETS sponsorship logo, so if anyone is offered such clothing, please contact us immediately,” a police statement read.
The police also said that CCTV, house-to-house and forensic enquiries are being carried out.
“We are determined to identify those responsible and as with every burglary victim, we are carrying out a thorough investigation, offering reassurance and crime prevention advice,” said detective inspector Simon Vaughan.
Stenson believes he was targeted and that the burglary wasn’t a coincidence. He said he took pictures with people in front of the house this week, and if those people posted those photos on social media, others could’ve figured out the house Stenson was staying at. Also, his rental car has an Open logo on it.
“They were clearly targeting me, because they were there when I was out playing, and they figured out that the house was empty when I was away, and they stole all my gear,” Stenson said. “Normally I don’t think burglars would take clothes. That doesn’t feel like the normal kind of thing that you would take. But all my gear is gone. If you see people Bossed up in this way, feel free to ask what they were doing between 12 and 4 yesterday.”
Earlier Friday, the R and A released a statement on behalf of Stenson: “When I finished my round (Thursday) I was informed that the house where I am staying had been (burglarised). It is obviously very special for me to be playing here in front of the fantastic Birkdale crowds as the defending Open champion, so I am going to try not to let this spoil the week in any way.
" I am extremely grateful that my family were not in the house at the time.”
A spokesman for the R and A added: “We are very sorry to hear about the burglary and have offered any assistance we can provide to Henrik and his family.”