Stenson confirms place at Abu Dhabi 2014

David Cooper - Writer 13:04 17/12/2013
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  • On the march: Stenson wants to complete the hat-trick of 'Desert Swing' titles.

    The hottest golfer on the planet, Henrik Stenson, is aiming to continue his stunning form in the UAE after confirming his place at next month’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

    A former resident of the UAE, Stenson has excelled in the Middle East – collecting titles in Dubai and Qatar as well as the 2013 season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

    And the Swedish world No3 will have the chance to complete a ‘Gulf Slam’ when he tees off at the National Course on January 16.

    Stenson is undoubtedly the most in-form golfer on the planet heading into the New Year after concluding his 2013 season with what he termed the ‘double-double’, winning both tours as well as the season finales for each.

    He also posted top three finishes in The Open and in the PGA Championship.

    Stenson will now be looking to complete the set of titles on the European Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’ in Abu Dhabi next month following near misses in 2006 and 2008.

    “2013 finished on a high in the UAE and it would be great if 2014 started on a high in the UAE,” said Stenson, who lived in the country until early 2012.

    “The country was a fantastic home for us for eight years and I’ve always enjoyed playing here. Abu Dhabi is a growing, cosmopolitan city and the galleries at the Championship always give the players a wonderful welcome to the season.”

    He added: “There’s a Falcon-sized gap in my trophy cabinet that I’d dearly love to fill – not just because of the 2006 and 2008 near misses but so I can become the first player to complete the sweep of Gulf titles.

    “The National course gets a bit tougher each year and the Championship has become one of the most coveted on the Tour, so it would be great to tee off the season in style here.”

    Stenson will face stiff competition in his pursuit of the title from a world-class field of rivals, including world number four and US Open title-holder Justin Rose and world number five and five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson.

    World number six Rory McIlroy, former world number one Luke Donald, and Abu Dhabi’s record-breaking ambassador Matteo Manassero will also be vying for the trophy.

    World number 10 Sergio Garcia – fresh off his victory at the Thailand Championship – will be hoping to get his hands on the trophy, while and reigning Champion Jamie Donaldson and three-time Abu Dhabi winner Martin Kaymer also return.

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