Stenson eyes title defence in Dubai
Swede Henrik Stenson is hoping to win this week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai for a third time in an event that will also crown the winner of the $8-million tournament, and the Race to Dubai on Sunday.
Stenson, who is ranked 16th in the Race to Dubai and is one of the favourites with Paddy Power this week, is very at home on the Greg Norman-designed layout on the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates, having won there in 2013 and 2014.
"I’m excited about the opportunity to make it three in a row. It's not going to be easy, I know that much," said Stenson.
"I’ve got 59 other players who want to stop me dearly and I’m just going to go out and try and make the same plan and hopefully play somewhat close to what I’ve done the previous two years, and we'll see if we can give it a shot."
World number five Justin Rose will be a serious threat to Stenson's aspirations of winning a third title in Dubai, having been a runner-up there twice before.
"I have always enjoyed finishing the season here in Dubai," said Rose.
"It’s a course that has been good for me and I really enjoy playing. I've played well here the last few years and I come in here with the exciting chance of trying to win the Race to Dubai."
Seven players – Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Rose, Shane Lowry, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Korean An Byeong-hun – are all in with a chance to clinch the Race to Dubai on Sunday but if McIlroy and second-ranked Willett win the tournament then the other players can't win.
To back your favourite for the season finale, head on over to Paddy Power.
Latest
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick: A Blade with plenty of support who can really cut it
The Sheffield golfer landed his first major – and first professional win in America – at Brookline on Sunday.