NORTON, Mass. — Henrik Stenson didn’t need a big trophy to prove himself that he belonged among the elite in golf.

After enduring the second slump of his career — the latest a product of bad play more than a lost swing — he began to turn the corner late last year by winning the South African Open. He was back in all the majors again for the first time since 2010. And he was playing better than anyone in the summer.

A runner-up to Phil Mickelson in the British Open and to Tiger Woods in a World Golf Championship. A tie for third in the PGA Championship.

The 37-year-old Swede broke through on Labor Day with his best performance of the year to win the Deutsche Bank Championship.

“It’s been long, hard work getting back to this place,” Stenson said. “Playing as well as I’ve done in these last couple of months, there’s no magic, no quick fix. It’s just hard work. It’s been a good four months, and I hope I can keep it going.”

He started the final round two shots behind Sergio Garcia, surged ahead with three straight birdies, came out even sharper after a two-hour rain delay, and put away Steve Stricker by holing a bunker shot on the 17th hole.

He wasn’t the only guy who felt like a winner, nor was he the only player who felt the nerves.

The Deutsche Bank Championship, the second of four FedEx Cup playoff events, had a little something for everyone on a wild and rainy Monday. It starts with Stenson, who moved to No. 1 in the FedEx Cup and is assured a clear shot at the $10 million prize at the Tour Championship.

Coming out of the rain delay, the focus shifted to the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings who would advance to the third playoff event at Conway Farms north of Chicago in two weeks.

Brendan Steele thought his season was over until he birdied his last four holes, the last one with a 2-iron onto the green at the par-5 18th. Steele knew his only chance was to tie with Ernie Els — he was three points ahead in the standings going into the weeks — and they were in the same group.