Abu Dhabi: Henrik Stenson says he is fighting fit as he bids to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship for the first time.
The Swede — a former world No. 1 and 2016 British Open champion — has twice been runner-up in Abu Dhabi, way back in 2006 and 2008, and despite some recent injuries, he is determined to give it his all to finally get his hands on the Falcon Trophy.
The tournament has been elevated to be one of eight tournaments which are part of the Rolex Series — the European Tour’s premier events, and the prize fund stands at $7 million.
Stenson, however, needs no monetary incentives to fuel his huger to land the title.
“I wouldn’t say I’m 100 per cent yet but we’re getting closer and closer,” the former Dubai resident said of his recovery process from an elbow injury that hampered his 2018 season. “I can be back at most of the things in the gym and playing golf is pretty good, as well. I’m happy with the progress on that. Played three events in end of November and December but not a lot of golf the previous two months. Now we’re back at it again.
“It always feels good to come back to this part of the world, having made it my home for quite a few years in the past and this is the way I’ve started up my season every year I think for, which edition is this, the 14th?
“It’s great to be back. It’s a great course this week, great weather, great practise facilities. It’s a good way to kick off the season for sure.”
Of his desire to win the elusive title, Stenson added: “I’ve done some practise at home, as well, in Florida before I came out. Motivation is a big part and feeling fresh and ready to go is always important ingredients in playing well, and a good track record is also something that can help.
“I think two seconds and a third (here), and nice little bunch of top 10s. We’ll try and make it happen this year.”
Brooks Koepka, the 2018 PDA Championship and US Open champion, is also in a stellar field in Abu Dhabi, and he is delighted to return for the first time since 2014 and see some familiar faces from when he plied his trade on the European Tour.
“It’s obviously nice to be back,” he said. “I enjoy playing this golf course. It’s a fun place to be, a fun place to come back and kind of feels like I’m re-living those memories when I was on The European Tour and Challenge Tour being over here. It’s always nice to bring those back.
“There’s a lot of guys you don’t get to see very often, and you made some great friendships over here when I was playing, and not getting to see them all the time isn’t always fun. But when you come back and see everybody, it makes it feel a little bit more special.”