Twelve months after making history in Dubai, Henrik Stenson ensured that 2014 would end on a high note by successfully defending his DP World Tour Championship title ahead of a familiar trio of competitors.
The Swede, who became the first player to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour in 2013, shot a final round of 70 to finish two shots ahead of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Victor Dubuisson; all Ryder Cup teammates.
The overall Race had already been determined ahead of the European Tour’s lucrative season finale, with McIlroy’s stellar 2014 deservedly securing the accolade of Europe’s number one. However, there was still a great deal to play for, with Stenson hoping to claim his first triumph of what had been a solid, if somewhat understated season, in comparison to the heroics of last year.
The 38-year-old had started the final round in a tie for the lead with Rafael Cabrera-Bello, but it was the Spaniard who looked most likely to triumph at the end of an unpredictable day. With just seven holes to play, the 30-year-old from Las Palmas had pulled two clear at the summit of the leaderboard.
That advantage had been gifted to Cabrera-Bello courtesy of a double bogey from Stenson on the 11th, who would later describe his tee shot on that hole as being “a push, slice, shank straight into the buildings.” Out of bounds, as you can imagine.
However, the Gothenburg-born star would show his class by hanging in, making the most of the Spaniard’s eventual collapse on the back-nine by finishing with two closing birdies to finish a couple of shots ahead of his three Gleneagles teammates, who had set the clubhouse lead at 14-under.
"It feels great," said Stenson, who looks set to improve his world ranking to second after this triumph. "I'm exhausted to say the least. It was hot out there and tricky on the back nine. I did not play my best and had a shocking hole on 11.
"That knocked me back but I did not give up. I just had to dig in there and wait for something to happen. I had a couple of close calls this year to get my win and it was not to be. It's been close but eventually you get something if you stick around and I surely did that."
The one thing missing from Stenson’s impressive resume is a major championship victory, and winning against such a strong field will only reaffirm his belief that such a triumph is more than achievable in 2015.
"It would be nice to have been ranked the world's best at some point, but if I had the choice I would go for a Major Championship so I am going to try and be in good shape for them next year,” added Stenson.
Rory McIlroy claimed two major championships this year, and he already has his sights on the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in April.
“I’m excited about the new season ahead,” said McIlroy. “Everything will be geared toward getting ready for Augusta and being ready for April. I’m looking forward to it – I've got a chance to win the career Grand Slam at 25, so there is a lot to work hard on and a lot to try and achieve next year.”
But there was a lot of fine achievements to reflect upon this year. As he received his second Race to Dubai trophy from outgoing Tour chief executive George O’Grady, the Northern Irishman reflected on what has been a vintage year. “It's a great feeling to know that I've played the best golf throughout the season of any of the guys for the second time in three years, it's really nice,” added McIlroy.
“A lot of positives heading into 2015 and something I'm really pleased about this year is that consistency that I've shown in my golf. I haven't finished outside the top 25. My last few results have been very consistent, very good, and a lot of good stuff going into next year.”
As this season draws to a close, another will begin in less than two weeks. For Stenson and McIlroy the primary objective will be major championships. The former seeking his first, with the latter attempting to join the legends of the game with an historic fifth in April.
And don’t be surprised if that endeavour becomes a successful one.