DUBAI // When the world No 2, a man with over US$200 million (Dh735m) in career earnings in the bank, and who has just burnt up the course himself, says he was just trying to keep hold of your coattails, it is safe to assume it has been a good day.
Make that a good season. Not a bad career, all told. And with plenty still yet to come, too, you would imagine.
Henrik Stenson finished the season of his life in the manner of the great champion he is on Sunday. His final-round 65 at Earth Course was not enough to propel him quite to the top of the leaderboard at the DP World Tour Championship.
He and Rory McIlroy, his celebrated playing partner in Sunday’s 10.10am game at Jumeirah Golf Estates, had started the final day too far back to make a real run and the title.
But it was the sort of show of class befitting a player who had just set the seal on his second Race to Dubai title in the space of four years.
The Swede had played the final 26 holes of the season in 12-under par, the final 18 in seven under. And, for good measure, he got up and down from the fringe at the 18th for a birdie.
Henrik Stenson, British Open champion, Olympic silver-medallist, world No 4, and now Europe’s top golfer again. Take a bow.
“I’m very pleased to get my name on this trophy once again,” Stenson said, while scanning the names on the huge Harry Vardon Trophy.
“It’s been a great year, the best year of my career. I’ve always thought it was going to be hard to top 2013, but I think I’ve done that this year,” the Swede said in reference to winning his first Race to Dubai title along with the DP World Tour Championship.
“Certainly with the highlights of winning the Open, the Olympics, and managing to win the Race to Dubai again, it has been a great year and it feels lovely to finish in this way.”
Stenson, who used to live approximately 7 kilometres away from this course, in The Meadows, might have a sizeable excess luggage bill, given the swag he is taking home with him to his new home in the United States. Luckily, when he gets there he will have plenty of room to house all his trophies.
“I’m very pleased because I’ve got two DP World Tour Championships and I’ve got two Race to Dubai titles,” Stenson said.
“I have my home in Sweden and I have my home in America, so I can spread it out and make it look good in both places.”
Stenson’s formidable finish meant none of Alex Noren, Danny Willett or McIlroy were able to get close to him in the order of merit standings.
Willett, who finished 50th, ended a tumultuous season as runner up in the money list.
“It’s a disappointing four-week stretch that I’ve just had, to end what still will be a pretty memorable year,” Willett said.
“It’s just a shame how it has come to a conclusion, that’s all. I need to try and work out how to get better and how to still try to press forward, and finally try to finish No 1 at some point.”
Noren, who was Stenson’s only real rival on the final morning, paid tribute to his compatriot.
“He totally deserves it,” Noren said, who finished on eight under, four behind Stenson. “It was a steady week overall, and I am happy with how I finished.
“It is the first time I have had a chance [to win the Race to Dubai] and that feels fantastic. It is something I will remember.”
McIlroy, who matched his playing partner’s final-round 65, said: “Henrik’s had a phenomenal year. I just sort of tried to hang on to his coattails a little bit on that front nine.”
* Reuters
