Sweden’s Henrik Stenson birdied four of his closing five holes in a round of 67 to maintain his Race to Dubai title lead in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The Swede stalled mid-round before picking off three birdies in succession from the 14th hole and then sank a near tap-in birdie on the last to move one shot clear with a 17-under par total on the Earth Course at Jumeriah Estates.
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson continues his amazing form to shoot an eight under par 64 and be second place on 16-under par and just a week after breaking through to capture a maiden Tour victory in winning the Turkish Airlines Open.
England’s Ian Poulter (66) and Spain’s Alejandro Canizares (70) share third place on 13-under par.
Stenson is looking to become only the second Swedish-born golfer in the 76-year history of the European Order of Merit after countryman Robert Karlsson in 2008 to be crowned European No. 1.
And the 37-year old Orlando-based Stenson is hoping to achieve that goal also with his first European Tour success this season.
“There’s no point in getting ahead of myself as there’s still one more day to go and I have to give it my best,” said Stenson.
“Victor is playing incredible golf at the moment. I head the expression, that I was the hottest golfer in the world, but he’s just jumped up and grabbed that title these last two weeks.
“So I’m just going to go out there and try to play another solid round.
“I will have a quite dinner with my family and some friends and then go to sleep tonight with the best dream that I play a good round and have a good finish.
“We know you can 63 and 64 here, and we saw Justin (Rose) shoot 62 last year, so if it turns out to be a tough day a 69 good be a good score, as well.”
Dubuisson had waited 72 tournaments for his first Tour victory and now the Cannes-born Frenchman and former World No. 1 ranked amateur, is in position for a second.
However the softly-spoken golfer with the film star looks confessed golf is still far from easy at present.
“No, it’s not easy and I’m always 120% on every shot,” he said.
“I play very well now because I’ve been practicing a lot, but my energy levels are down and it’s been difficult on a few holes today, especially near the end of my round.
“But I will do my best tomorrow and tonight I will try to get to sleep early to have a good night and feel good for tomorrow.”
Stenson’s nearest Race to Dubai rival Justin Rose of England shot a 68 to be tied in sixth place on six under par and six shots behind Stenson.
Rose was in a similar situation last year trailing six shots behind and came out to post a final day 62 only to lose to double Major winning Rory McIlroy who birdied his closing five holes to deny the Englishman.
Poulter, who is fourth on the Race to Dubai, know he needs to win the final event of the season and for Stenson to finish outside the top three.
“I just need to beat Henrik, and while there’s a couple of others on the board, I think if I shoot 65, it’s going to be a good score,” said Poulter.
“I caught Hernik at one stage today and I’ll catch him again tomorrow, don’t worry about that.”
