There is not often in Henrik Stenson’s illustrious career he is prepared to accept second but the Sweden will be more than happy to finish runner-up to Rory McIlroy in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.
McIlroy wrapped-up a second Race to Dubai title in three years last Sunday without a shot being struck in this week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
However Stenson, as the event’s defending champion and the out-going European Tour No. 1, is not about to allow his nearest money list rivals Jamie Donaldson, Marcel Siem or Sergio Garcia deny him that honour.
“The first goal for any playing teeing up in any tournament is to win the tournament but then you have to look at what is ahead of you in any given week,” he said.
Henrik Stenson happy to finish second to Rory McIlroy in 2014 Race to Dubai. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
“Of course, when first place is not achievable it then becomes normal to go for second even though when you go after second you might not be as motivated as if you were going for first place.
“So if I were to again win this week’s final event or finish higher enough up the leader board to secure second on the Race to Dubai then that would be a pretty strong statement on my season coming off being Number One in Europe last year.
“Rory’s had such a great season this year and if I could still make that happen by finishing second to him then it will show to everyone that I have followed up 2013 with a great 2014 year.”
Stenson is currently just Euro 96,338 ahead on Donaldson but with the top-20 on the money list all with a mathematical likelihood of ending the season second to McIlroy.
Among those is the 13th placed Ian Poulter who revealed he may accept double British Open winning Greg Norman’s offer of advice with regards to his putting, and this after Poulter missed a five-foot birdie putt on the final green to force a play-off in Sunday’s concluding Turkish Airlines Open.
“I spoke to Greg last night, and I know Greg really well, so it was nice of him to reach out to me,” said Poulter.
“He noticed a couple of things which were observations but then I would like to review coverage, as that’s what I do, just to see if his observations were the same as my observations, as well.
“I’ve worked hard on my putting the last couple of weeks and I feel like I’ve made good inroads.
“A couple of putts have slipped past, but I’d like to try and review them myself as well as having a great opinion from Greg and I would respect his opinion.
“So I will take on board what he said and I will be on the putting green today to hit some putts, and see if what he said is right or wrong.”
McIlroy spent the day away from the host Earth Course and worked on his game at the nearby Els Club while Garcia was swimming with dolphins at the stunning Atlantis Hotel.
All but one player in the leading 60 on the Race to Dubai and that is England’s Paul Casey who is lying 60th and with the 61stplaced Matteo Manassero taking his place in the $US 8m event.
