Henrik Stenson is at the head of a group of four players who can finish this week’s DP World Tour Championship as the Race to Dubai winner and it’s a situation he’s all too familiar with.
The towering Swede, who was today awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour following his Open Championship success this summer, did the ‘double’ in 2013 when he tamed the Earth course to win the tournament by six strokes and in the process wrapped up the Race to Dubai title. He’s currently leading the season-rankings by just shy of 300,000 points and in pole position for a repeat performance this year.
“It would be one of my finest achievements,” said Stenson who also won the DP World Tour Championship in 2014. “It was pretty sweet to be here as Europe’s No.1 in 2013 and I don’t think it would be any less sweet this year after the season that I’ve had, winning The Open Championship and some other fine results. I’m certainly keen and I’m going to give it my best shot.”
Leading the chasing pack is Englishman Danny Willett, who won the Masters Tournament earlier this season but has endured a tough couple of months leading into this week’s tournament. For the 29-year-old, who led the rankings coming into this tournament last year, the equation is simple: win the tournament, win the Race to Dubai.
“It’s been a very turbulent year; we’ve had the ultimate of highs and a few real lows the last few months but now here we are. We’ve got four rounds of golf left in what’s been a pretty long season. It’s a slightly different situation to last year, but I still need to win the golf tournament to win the Race to Dubai.”
Alex Noren can also take the Race to Dubai title with a top two finish this week depending on Stenson and Willett’s results. The Swede is in scintillating form having secured his fourth victory of the season at last week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player.
“As a golfer, you’re always focusing ahead but obviously it’s nice coming in with a victory last week,” said Noren. “I always think it’s easier if you have a good week before as you’re a little bit more relaxed and enjoying it a lot.”
With Rory McIlroy also in with a slender chance of Race to Dubai victory, we’re in for a captivating week here at the DP World Tour Championship.
New Race to Dubai logo unveiled
Meanwhile, the European Tour today unveiled the new Race to Dubai brand, featuring the official Dubai logo.
Speaking at the unveiling, Rory McIlroy said: “Given the fact that the UAE has been a massive part of my development as a golfer and as a person, it’s great to see the European Tour and Dubai working together for the benefit for golf. My first European Tour cut and win was here and I have made a number of friends in the Middle East. As my home away from home, in fact as a resident of Dubai, I love coming back and spending time here to prepare for each season.”
