CHASKA, Minn. -- Henrik Stenson says that he is fit enough to play five sessions in the Ryder Cup -- "at this stage."
Doubts have persisted about his fitness since he withdrew from The Barclays FedEx Cup series event last month with a right knee problem.
Stenson then revealed that he tore cartilage at the U.S. Open last June and that, while he had surgery for a similar issue last year, the problem was in a slightly different place.
"Potentially it could have been a question of how much golf we can play," the Olympics silver medalist said on Wednesday, having dismissed the idea that he may have doubted his ability to face Team USA at Hazeltine National this week.
"Nothing is for certain, but as of now, I feel like I'm up for a lot of golf and unless the knee tells me otherwise, that's the way I approach it.
"It doesn't hurt when I'm playing golf. It's been more walking that's been a bit more of an issue, but that feels good at the moment.
"It's not something that I really think about. If it shows up, then I just have to deal with it as it comes and try and make the best choices."
Asked if he thought his knee would stand up to five sessions, Stenson, who has not ruled out further surgery, said: "I'd say yes at this stage."
The world No. 5 hasn't played competitive golf since finishing tied 41st at The Deutsche Bank Championship at the beginning of September, but he claimed that was a plus.
"I definitely needed it [the rest]," said Stenson, who skipped the BMW Championship. "That's why I set my playing schedule the way I did. I knew by playing limited in the beginning of the FedEx, it was always going to be a chance [I would] miss out on the Tour Championship.
"That was just something I needed to do. I was pretty drained after the summer, with The Open, and the PGA was a draining week also, and the Olympics. I played a lot of golf, and being up in contention, that takes a lot out of you.
"It's been a fantastic summer, so I needed a bit of a breather. I hope to be ready on Friday when we kick off again."