IN this game of numbers, every little helps. 

When Henrik Stenson trudged out of the Scottish Open at Dundonald on Sunday, the reigning Open champion effectively dismissed his chances of retaining his Claret Jug.

Yesterday at Royal Birkdale, the 41-year-old was marginally more optimistic. “The spirits might be another five per cent up compared to Sunday,” said Stenson, who is aiming to become the first player since Padraig Harrington at Birkdale in 2008 to complete a successful defence of the crown.

“Whether it’s going to be good enough this week or not, I can’t tell you, but I couldn’t tell you how I was going to win before the week last year either. 

“In golf, I guess you’re only a couple of good shots and picking up some nice solid feelings away from having a really good week.”

Stenson at least boosted his chances of a good performance by simply playing the Scottish Open.

In 2013 he was third in the Scottish Open and second behind Mickelson at Muirfield, but in 2014 and 2015 he did not play the Scottish and was 39th and 40th in the Open.

Last year he was 13th at Castle Stuart before winning at Troon.

“It is a big benefit,” he added. “I think for me it’s crucial, both to play the week before the major is ideal for me, and also playing links (golf) because it is a bit of a different game.

“It will be like coming from clay going into Wimbledon; you wouldn’t do that. It’s certainly a benefit to play the week before, when that’s possible.”