Swede off to vacation in Maldives

Dubai: Dubai Desert Classic winner Henrik Stenson is off on a well-deserved holiday to the Maldives.

After winning the handsome trophy at the Emirates Golf Club yesterday, Stenson promised that he will not touch a golf club for the next 10 days.

"I've had it coming and I am feeling so tired. I just need to relax and unwind after such an early hectic schedule. I go off to the Maldives for four days... a sort of short honeymoon, swim a bit and lie down on the beach," Stenson said.

The Swede married long time companion Emma Lofgren on December 30 at a simple ceremony in Dubai in the company of close family and friends. Stenson, who is associated with golf in DUBAI and is also a member at the Emirates Golf Club, has had a hectic schedule for the past few weeks.

Stenson moved to the The Meadows in Dubai some three years ago from his native Sweden due to the favourable conditions here. "One can practice from October to May and the weather is constant," Stenson said.

Barely two weeks after tying the knot, he went off to Bangkok to compete in the Europe versus Asia Golf Championship for the Royal Trophy.

He then travelled to Abu Dhabi and then on to Doha for the Qatar Masters before returning to Dubai for the Classic.

"I came to Dubai on December 19 and it has been a long time since then. I need a break badly," Stenson said.

Dubai has been favourable for the Swede as he has steadily climbed up the standings.

"I feel my career has been slowly progressing in the right direction. Though I did not win anything, I really stepped it up and established myself in 2005," he said.

But now with such a huge win under his belt, Stenson has seen a sudden surge in his confidence levels. "I can now try and challenge for all the big ones. Everybody tries to win a few tournaments each year. But for me, the immediate goal would be to try and win in America," Stenson added.

AT A GLANCE

- Stenson becomes the first Swede to win the Dubai Desert Classic.

- Is the 16th different player to win the event in its 18 stagings.

- Claims his first European Tour victory in 161 tournaments as a professional.

- Is only the second player after Ernie Els to win both the Qatar Masters and Dubai Desert Classic.

- Secures his seventh consecutive top 10 finish in European Tour events played in the Gulf, dating back tothe 2005 Qatar Masters.

- Wins his eighth tournament worldwide as a professional.

- Climbs to fourth place on the European Tour order of
merit.