Man of the moment and UAE golfing favourite Henrik Stenson will leverage his decade-long affinity with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at the event’s tenth anniversary in January.
The 38-year-old and former UAE resident successfully defended his DP World Tour Championship and has reached a career-high record of world number two as a result of Sunday's victory in Dubai.
-Henrik Stenson pips Ryder Cup team-mate to win DP World Tour Championship in Dubai
Stenson says his deep knowledge and love of January's event in Abu Dhabi has him well positioned to finally taste success in the emirate.
“I’ve seen first-hand and experienced the Championship’s incredible growth over the past 10 years and I feel very proud to have been a part of it all,” said the newly crowned world number two.
“It’s truly a world-class event on a world-class course and year-on-year it consistently attracts the strongest field in the Gulf.
“I’ve always found it the best possible way to start my season, and there’s extra incentive for me next year given my long association with the tournament,” he said.
This year has seen Stenson achieve career-best finishes in The Masters, U.S. Open and PGA Championship as well as playing a key role in Team Europe's win in the Ryder Cup.
“After an incredible season last year, it has been a good year of new achievements for me and I’m feeling very confident going into 2015,” said Stenson, who made history in 2013 by winning both the European Tour and US PGA Tour.
The long-time Abu Dhabi stalwart has a unique opportunity to make next season another record-breaking year by becoming the first player to complete the clean sweep of Gulf titles. Stenson has already recorded big wins in Dubai and Qatar, as well as the Race to Dubai in 2013.
“With three Gulf titles already under my belt, winning on the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club is up there at the top of my list of goals next year,” said Gothenburg-born Stenson, who made the UAE his home for almost 10 years.
Stenson joins an all-star cast for the January 15-18 Championship hoping for a slice of the US $2.7 million prize purse that includes world number one Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose and Matteo Manassero.