Dubai Desert Classic: Stenson puts down a marker

If there are any players happy that Tiger Woods will not be teeing off in defence of his Desert Classic Crown at Emirates Golf Club today, then 2007 champion Henrik Stenson isn't one of them.

The Dubai-based Swede is one of the favourites going into this year's event. And that's not just down to the absence of the world number one. Most golfing fans would remember Stenson's outstanding final day effort that quelled the late heroics of Woods on his way to the title two years ago.

Speaking to XPRESS ahead of the $2.5million European Tour event, Stenson explained why a golf tournament is never quite the same without the sport's undisputed king.

“I enjoy playing with Tiger in the same tournaments,'' said the world number eight. “It's always nice to give yourself a chance to measure your strength against the best player in the world. If you want to win any of the big championships, you got to beat them there so you might as well try and beat them at the regular events as well.

“I was fortunate enough to beat both Ernie [Els] and [Woods] in 2007 when I won here. So at least I got a receipt that I can win a golf tournament with two such good players in the field.''

After a slow start to the Desert Swing in Abu Dhabi, Stenson picked up the pace in Qatar last week where he finished runner-up to Spaniard Alvaro Quiros. But in any case when it comes to the Classic, form is a trivial matter as far as Stenson is concerned. “Knowing the Majlis course as well as I do, it's always a nice feel to play the Desert Classic. I get cheered on by friends and family and fans down here.

“Sweden is always going to be home of course, but being based in Dubai and to spend as much time as I have done, it's my second home tournament,'' said the golf in Dubai ambassador.

And could 2009 finally see the 32-year-old Stenson win a major?

“I hope so. It was like a breakthrough year for me in the majors last year. I hadn't had a top 10 before last year and I managed a third at The Open and fourth at the PGA Championships, so those were very welcome high finishes in the majors. “[This year] I'm playing about 25 tournaments so it gives me that extra time to practise and prepare for the big events. So yeah, of course I'm hoping I'm going to be up there and challenge for a win in the majors.''