Look who’s back on Stenson’s bag? Fanny Sunesson making a guest appearance in Dallas

CARROLLTON, Texas – Fanny Sunesson has caddied all over the world and on every major golf tour during her legendary and groundbreaking Hall of Fame career.

This week, she’s adding LIV Golf to her CV.

Sunesson is reuniting with her fellow Swede, Majesticks GC Co-Captain Henrik Stenson, at this week’s LIV Golf Dallas presented by Aramco. She’ll also be on Stenson’s bag at next month’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

“I’m a rookie again, right?” Sunesson said Thursday at Maridoe Golf Club while Stenson was working on his short game. “It’s a new place and a new tour. It’s nice to be back with Henrik. I’m loving it.”

Sunesson was Stenson’s full-time caddie between 2006-11, a stint that included wins at the Dubai Desert Classic, the WGC-Match Play and Players Championship. Before that, she had a long run with Nick Faldo, becoming the first female to caddie for a major winner. In fact, Faldo won four majors with Sunesson on his bag; he gifted her with a Claret Jug charm that she still wears on a necklace.

A back injury forced her to retire as a full-time caddie, but she’s found her way back inside the ropes on occasion, including Stenson’s bag at the 2019 Masters, their last time together as player-caddie until this week. Meanwhile, she’s maintained a presence in the game as a performance coach and commentator, and is also involved in golf course upgrades.

She’s stays in regular contact with Stenson, particularly in the lead-up to their annual Stenson Sunesson Junior Challenge every summer in Sweden.

That event actually prompted this week’s change, as Stenson’s usual caddie Marcus Larsson is heavily involved in its operation. This year’s Junior Challenge will be held next week, and Larsson is needed in Sweden for both the junior and paragolf events.

“He couldn’t really get away this week,” Stenson said. “He had to hang back and take care of the logistics. So Fanny is out here.”

Larsson will return as Stenson’s caddie for the remainder of the LIV Golf season but will receive a break at The Open to spend time with his family, as it comes in the middle of a three-week stretch that includes LIV Golf tournaments in Spain and the UK.

Stenson couldn’t ask for a better replacement for Dallas and Portrush than Sunesson. Currently 43rd in the season-long points standings, he’d love to get a boost from the fresh set of eyes from his long-time friend.

“It’s a certain comfort level to have her on the bag,” he said. “It always is when you’ve got someone you work with for many years, and you know well.

“In particular, she’s a perfectionist. She always wants to make sure that she knows every possible question that might come her way. Preparation is one of the lead words for her.”

Another key word is familiarity.

During Thursday’s practice session on the Maridoe range, they were back in the old groove, having respectful two-way dialogue, with Stenson appreciating her perspective and knowledge. Earlier in the week, Sunesson scouted Maridoe, making sure there would be no surprises on a course she had never previously seen.

While their conversations generally are focused on golf, there are no limitation to the topics. Friendly banter can be a much-needed pressure relief.

“Just great to catch up with her,” Stenson said. “On the golf course, we end up talking about a lot of other things than necessarily if a 7-iron was three yards long or three yards short. It’s kind of relaxing that way. You switch off in between shots.”

Said Sunesson: “He’s a good friend and when you have good friends, it’s like you might not talk to that friend for months, but it feels like yesterday when you do. Very, very happy to be here with him.”