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Stenson seals second Race To Dubai crown

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Stenson seals second Race To Dubai crown
Henrik Stenson with his Race To Dubai trophy.

Dubai - Stenson, DP World Tour Championship in 2013 and 2014, whipped up a seven-under for a 12-under par

By James Jose

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Published: Mon 21 Nov 2016, 5:50 PM

Having played the supporting cast over the three days, the slow-burning Henrik Stenson stoked the flames on Sunday.
It wasn't a grandstand finish by any means, with the DP World Tour Championship spoils going to Matthew Fitzpatrick. But the former Dubai resident, who spent close to a decade here in this mystical desert, did just about enough to lock in a second Race to Dubai title.

There were different scenarios floating in the air and a number of pretenders to the throne, but Stenson took matters into his own hands at the Earth Course of the Jumeirah Golf Estates, to inscribe his name on The Harry Vardon Trophy, at the second time of asking.
Following a combined five-under over three rounds, Stenson brought his 'A' game, especially on the front nine, to pour ice cold water over any potential danger.
Stenson, back-to-back winner of the DP World Tour Championship in 2013 and 2014, whipped up a seven-under for a 12-under par, to finish the tournament tied ninth along with fellow Race to Dubai and DP World Tour Championship winner Rory McIlroy.
Northern Irishman McIlroy too had a seven-under par and so did Spaniard Jorge Campillo, ranked 193 in the world. England's Tommy Fleetwood, who turned in a four-under for a 12-under par, joined the three.
Meanwhile, with Stenson on fire on the front nine and his closest contender -compatriot Alex Noren making par on his journey through the front, the expected battle between the Swedes turned out to be a no contest.
It was a disappointing end for Noren, who finished his round with a double bogey after the starting the day tied 13th. He could only manage a one-under for the day and eight-under for the tournament to finish tied 23rd. But that shouldn't take the sheen off what has been a dream year for Noren, who won four events on the European Tour.
Stenson and McIlroy, paired together along with South Africa's Richard Sterne, began the day tied for 22. And the duo, who get along very well, had a sparkling front nine, more so McIlroy.
Stenson had laid down the early marker with twin birdies on the second and third and with him knocking three more on the bounce -from the fifth to the seventh, the Swede had jumped 15 spots up to tied seventh after seven holes with five-under.
But McIlroy, who began with a birdie before dropping one on the par-3 fourth, reeled off four birdies and an eagle over the next five holes to move 10 spots up to tied sixth with six-under.
Meanwhile, Stenson missed a birdie putt on nine and was tied ninth with five birdies and five-under after nine holes. McIlroy too joined Stenson on tied ninth after he made a bogey on 11.
After a scintillating front nine, they lost a bit of the fizz on the return journey with Stenson making three birdies and a bogey, while McIlroy turned in two birdie putts and a bogey.
Both had erratic tee shots on the par-3 17th with both their balls landing up kissing each other at the edge of the green. And while McIlroy managed to get out of trouble with a par putt, Stenson fluffed his second shot and overhit it into the bunker and eventually bogeyed.
Nonetheless, they wrapped up the round with a birdie on the 18th.
james@khaleejtimes.com

Matthew Fitzpatrick with the DP World Tour Championship trophy that he won on Sunday at the Jumeirah Golf Estate in Dubai.
Matthew Fitzpatrick with the DP World Tour Championship trophy that he won on Sunday at the Jumeirah Golf Estate in Dubai.

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