Race to Dubai 2013: Henrik Stenson becomes first man to win the competition and the FedEX Cup in the same season

Stenson also had the added satisfaction of winning $100 from Ian Poulter after keeping the Englishman behind him on the money list

Phil Casey
Sunday 17 November 2013 09:36 EST
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Henrik Stenson won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday
Henrik Stenson won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday (Reuters)

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Henrik Stenson hailed a “dream season” as he claimed a historic double in fitting fashion by storming to victory in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday.

Stenson became the first man to win the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour in the same year thanks to a commanding six-shot victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The 37-year-old carded a flawless closing 64, signing off in style with a tap-in eagle on the 18th, to finish with a tournament-record total of 25 under par, with money list rival Ian Poulter a valiant second following a 66.

France’s Victor Dubuisson was two shots further back in third, with Dutchman Joost Luiten fourth and a trio of former world No 1s – Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood – sharing fifth.

“It has been an incredible summer for me, the [autumn] in America was great and now this,” said Stenson, who was second in the Open and third in the US PGA Championship before his FedEx Cup triumph.

“It has been a dream season. I played so well this week. I knew the guys would try to catch me, especially Ian who never gives up. I wanted to stay ahead of him and I managed to do that.

“I don’t know how I am going to be able to top this next year but I am going to give my best in the majors and that [becoming the first male Swedish player to win one] would be the icing on the cake.”

Stenson also had the added satisfaction of winning $100 from Poulter after keeping the Englishman behind him on the money list, with Poulter also having to act as his waiter for the evening.

“You should stop when you’re ahead so he’s not getting another bet,” joked Stenson. “I can’t stand that much pressure for $100. I haven’t had the money yet but I’ll have a photographer with me when I do.”

Ian Poulter finished second behind Henrik Stenson
Ian Poulter finished second behind Henrik Stenson (GETTY IMAGES)

Poulter, who was one of the first to congratulate Stenson after waving a white towel in surrender on the 18th, said: “I have to take my hat off to him, unbelievable. I tried to run him down as hard as I could but even with a sore wrist he has pressed on and I just could not get close enough.

“Henrik has not made a mistake all week and I just had to make sure of second place and some valuable Ryder Cup points. I have thrown a lot at him and given him so much stick, but he is the best player on the planet right now.”

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