Henrik Stenson again demonstrated his affection for the European Tour’s ”Gulf Swing” by winning the Dubai Desert Classic by one stroke on Sunday.
The Dubai-based Swede, who has finished in the top eight in the last six tournaments in the Middle East, overcame gusts of up to 30kph to shoot a closing 68 for a 19-under-par tally of 269 at the Emirates Golf Club.
Overnight leader Ernie Els (71) struggled to recover from a three-bogey outward half of 37. The three-times champion eventually finished second, despite holing out from a greenside bunker for a birdie at the 14th.
World number one Tiger Woods (69), who had won nine times in his previous 12 starts, was a further stroke back on 271 alongside Swede Niclas Fasth (68).
”I fought hard all week and to beat Ernie by one is awesome,” the 30-year-old Stenson told Sky Sports after rolling in an uphill eight-foot birdie putt at the par-five 18th.
”Living here in Dubai and having all the local fans, my friends and family watching me this week, it feels special to win this one.”
World number 14 Stenson, who hits the ball prodigious distances off the tee, secured victory with a four-under back nine of 33 which included a run of three birdies in four holes from the 11th.
The Swede, who won the 2006 Qatar Masters and was joint seventh in his title defence last Sunday, was ably assisted in Dubai by Nick Faldo’s former caddie Fanny Sunesson.
”I may not hit it that close [to the pin] all the time but I’ve hit some quality shots and had a lot of two-putts this week,” said Stenson, who also finished eighth at the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago.
”I just tried to wear everyone out really and I succeeded. I’m planning for the majors now, just need a well-deserved break and I will try and re-group before heading off to America to prepare for the US Masters [in April].”
Woods, who bemoaned his putting all week, looked like he would mount a trademark late charge when he strung together three consecutive birdies from the 13th, including a chip-in from the fringe of the green at the 15th.
But the holder’s progress was stymied by the three bogeys he carded at the first, 10th and 11th.
Unheralded Briton Ross Fisher, who topped the leaderboard for the first two days, kept his nerve despite playing in the same three-ball as Woods and Fasth to finish with a 71 for fifth place on 272. Swede Peter Hanson (71) was sixth on 274. – Reuters