Sweden’s Henrik Stenson indicated it would be ‘the icing on the cake’ if he were to add the European Race to Dubai No. 1 title to his PGA Tour FedEx Cup success.
Stenson heads in the opening round of the Tour’s season-ending event leading the money list by Euro 213,468 ($US 287,033) while the leading four players – Stenson, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter) are separated by Euro 343,906 ($US 412,418).
Mathematically anyone down to new Turkish Airlines Open champion, Victor Dubuisson of France, and lying ninth on the Race to Dubai, can still be crowned 2013 European No. 1.
Henrik Stenson looking to cross the finishing line first in Dubai this week. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
Dubuisson trails Stenson by Euro 935,124 ($US 1,247,373) but then if the Frenchman were to win Stenson must finish 31st or poorer in the 56-player field.
And to complicate matters there is Euro 2,771,721 ($US 3.75m) Bonus Pool, including Euro 739,125 ($US 1m) to the eventual European No. 1, that will be shared among the eventual leading 10 players.
“I have had the season of my life so far and I’m in a great position, and I just hope I can keep it going and make it happen,” said Stenson.
“Regardless, it is the best season of my career. There has been so many positives and so many great moments and this week could be the icing on the cake.
“Winning the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour was something really special so to win the Race to Dubai would be right up with that achievement.
“I’m a European and I’ve been brought up playing my golf on the European Tour and the Tour has always had a very special place in my heart.”
This week’s DP World Tour Championship has the added spice in that Stenson and Poulter, and neighbours on the Lake Nona estate in Orlando, have a $100 bet at 10-1 that whoever finishes ahead of the other must pour drinks for the loser at a restaurant of the others choice.
“That would be the worst outcome of the week having to pour drinks for Ian,” said Stenson.
“I might be many things but I am not Ian’s servant, and that is one job I decided many years ago I wasn’t going to be (smiling).”
However Stenson’s main concern was not his three fellow Lake Nona neighbours but his right wrist.
He injured tendons on the wrist in the lead-up to last month’s BMW Masters in Shanghai and his practice in Dubai has been limited to just nine holes on the eve of the $US 8m event.
“While the guys were playing the Pro Am yesterday (TUES) I was at the hospital taking another MRI,” he said.
“I also had an ultra-sound on Monday and I am still awaiting the report but I’ve been informed the overall outlook is good.
“But being a pretty big guy and a pretty strong guy, the wrists are going to take a beating.
“But then my wrist needed a few more days rest this week and that’s why I pulled out of Tuesday’s Pro-Am, and mentally it’s been good to get an extra to recharge myself,” he said.
“But then this is the final lap of the Race to Dubai and hopefully it’s a good one for me.”
However McDowell, who was second on the money list in 2010, is determined to spoil Stenson’s celebrations.
“Henrik has had an incredible run since the British Open, and it’s great to see a guy who is a friend, a colleague, and a great player coach by the same coach as myself in Pete Cowen, playing well the last six months,” said McDowell.
“But you know, I would like to get in his way this weekend. Maybe not from a physical point of view, as he’s a big guy, but from a golfing point of view.
“So I would certainly like to try and get in his way come Sunday afternoon and have the opportunity myself to win the Race to Dubai.”
The normal field of Europe’s top-60 has been cut by four players with Ernie Els (17th on the Race to Dubai) electing not to play, fellow South African Charl Schwartzel (22nd) who did not qualify in playing just one of the opening three Final Series events.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia (13th) also only contested on event of the last four and Sweden’s Alex Noren (51st) has withdrawn with a back injury.
