Henrik Stenson moved five shots clear of his Race to Dubai rivals as he looks to become only the second Swede in 76-years to be crowned European No. 1.
Stenson produced eight birdies in a bogey-free 64 to move to 12-under par on day two of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship on the Earth Course at Jumeriah Estates in Dubai.
Spain’s Alejandro Canizares shot a 67 to be in second place on 11-under with last week’s Turkish Airlines Open champion, Victor Dubuisson of France (67) and Australia’s Marcus Fraser (69) sharing third place three shots further back on eight under par.
Henrik Stenson picks up his first prize this week and with the Race to Dubai now only two rounds from his grasp. (Photo – Denise Cleary/www,golffile.ie)
However England’s Justin Rose, who is second on the Race to Dubai, and countryman Ian Poulter who is lying fourth, lost ground to Stenson.
Rose did birdie his last two holes in a 67 to be in a share of eight place at seven under par with Poulter who posted a round of 68.
And Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, lying third on the money list, also carded a 68 to be eight strokes adrift of Stenson on four under par.
“They are chasing me as good as they can, and I know neither one of the guys are going to back down, so it is better I keep my foot down and my head down and try and keep the momentum going,” said Stenson.
And while Stenson is yet to win on the European Tour this year, he dearly would like to wrap up the Race to Dubai with also victory in Dubai.
“I’m now in a great position to have a shot at winning this golf tournament after two rounds now, so hopefully I can be there on Sunday afternoon,” he said.
“As I’ve said many times this year, the key for me this summer has that I have been up there so many times, and when I needed the putts to drop they did in Boston (Deutsche Bank Championship) and when I played really well to win in Atlanta (Tour Championship).
“So it’s all about positioning yourself and once again after two rounds, I’m in a great position and I’m just going to keep on trying to make sure I’m there on the back nine on Sunday, and hopefully have the chance to win this golf tournament.”
If Stenson were to win the Race to Dubai he would join Robert Karlsson (2008) as the only Sweden-born players to be crowned European Tour No. 1 since the inauguration of the European Order of Merit in 1937.
And reigning US Open champion Rose admits it is becoming increasingly difficult to catch Stenson.
“I thought that five-under par would be good enough for me to just stay in the tournament, which I am happy about,” said Rose.
“But then this golf course seems really tailor-made for Henrik. He just seems to be able to take advantage of all the par 5s, and he’s playing really, really well.
“It will be tough to catch him but I’ll give myself a chance.”
Defending DP World Tour Championship defending champion, Rory McIlroy shot a five under par 67, that included a 14th hole eagle, to be tied in ninth place on six under par.
“It’s nice to know going into the weekend you still have a chance to win the golf tournament, and that’s the stage I’ve been trying to get to for the last few months,” he said.
“I finally feel like I’ve got to the stage now where I can contend week-in, week-out.”
And McIlroy had been asked to mark his ball-striking at the start of the year, the mid part of the season and now at the end of the season.
“I’d say, 2, 5 and 8 so it’s getting up there,” he said.
