Dubai: Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy, the first two golfers to win the money lists prizes on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year, have praised Henrik Stenson for his Race to Dubai and US PGA Tour FedExCup double.

Although Stenson has not quite replicated the same feat as Donald and McIlroy, who achieved respective money list double acts in 2011 and 2012, Stenson is still the first golfer to win both play-off finales on the two tours. On the European Tour, the Race to Dubai is the money list, but in America the money list and season-ending FedExCup are separate, with Tiger Woods winning the PGA Tour money list this year.

Donald said: “He has not won the money list in the US but he did win the Race to Dubai and the FedExCup, which neither Rory or myself did. Obviously that’s very, very impressive. I don’t think there’s been a better player in golf the last six months, and Henrik looks in total control.

“He’s missed one green the first three days. He’s making golf look easy and, believe me, it’s not that easy. Hats off to him and he deserves everything he’s getting.”

McIlroy added: “Henrik is playing too good for everyone right now. He’s really done well. He’s played all these four events in the Final Series and he’s really wanted to get the job done, and he’s been pushed all the way — [Justin Rose] and [Ian] Poulter and G-Mac [Graeme McDowell] and even Victor [Dubuisson] out there, they have pushed him all the way. He’s responded in unbelievable fashion, so he definitely deserves this.”