The Swede made the promise less than 24 hours after returning the prestigious silverware to the Royal & Ancient.

“I've made an official promise that if I ever win the Claret Jug again, I'm going skydiving with it,” he smiled. “And I don't know which is going to be harder, winning the Claret Jug again or going skydiving afterwards because that thought scares me a little bit. It won't stop me from trying to win it, though.”

Stenson, 41, has loved every minute of his time with the Claret Jug. He even took it jet-skiing.

“I think we had a pretty special evening the first evening, it was pretty good,” Stenson said. “To be able to share with some family and close friends, just that first evening was very special. And it was French. It was bubbly, and it tasted rather good coming out of the Claret Jug, I can tell you that.

Stenson returns the Claret Jug to R&A chief Martin Slumbers. PHOTO: Getty Images.

“It's an iconic trophy, so to bring that around the world, it's been many memorable moments due to that. I think the jet-ski is probably the goofiest and most fun we've had with it.

"It had become like part of the family.”

Stenson will begin his defence playing alongside American Jordan Spieth and South Korea’s Si-woo Kim.

“I think once you win one, obviously that's off your shoulder,” said Stenson, who carded a final round 63 to defeat Phil Mickelson by three shots at Royal Troon last year.

“And it's more about putting yourself in contention again and trying to win a second one. Given how long and successful a career I've had, I think that's pretty much what we're aiming for, a few more chances to win more major championships. That's really where that extra spark can come from, I think.”