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STENS<strong>ON</strong> eyes Major after<br />
DP World Tour Championship<br />
double<br />
Henrik Stenson is eyeing a first Major Championship in 2015 after defending a title for the first time in his career at the<br />
DP World Tour Championship. The Swede carded a closing 70 at Jumeirah Golf Estates to finish 16-under-par, two shots<br />
ahead of World Number One Rory McIlroy and fellow Ryder Cuppers Justin Rose and Victor Dubuisson. Victory also<br />
assured him of second spot behind McIlroy in the Race to Dubai and second in the world rankings: ‘It would be nice<br />
to have been ranked the world’s best at some point,’ said Stenson. ‘But if I had the choice I would go for a Major<br />
Championship so I am going to try and be in good shape for them next year.’<br />
Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello was seemingly in control on the 16th tee before successive double-bogeys on the par four<br />
and par three 17th when he found water on both occasions. McIlroy and Rose closed on 14-under after agonisingly<br />
missing near-identical putts for birdie on 18. Stenson was on the same number after 16 holes before a brilliant iron at the<br />
par three left a tap-in birdie and he sealed victory in style with a fine birdie four at the last.<br />
‘It feels great,’ added the 38-year-old. ‘I’m exhausted to say the least. It was hot out there and tricky on the back<br />
nine. I did not play my best and had a shocking hole on 11 but I did not give up. I just had to dig in there and wait for<br />
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<br />
eventually you get something if you stick around and I surely did that.’<br />
McIlroy already had the Race to Dubai title sewn up but was made to rue missed opportunities as he looked in vain for a<br />
perfect finish to an incredible season: ‘It seemed like no-one took it by the scruff of the neck,’ said the Northern Irishman.<br />
‘I thought if I could post 16-under I might have a chance. I just did not play well enough to win this week.’