Stenson DP World Tour Championship defence faces one final hurdle

Reigning champion Henrik Stenson and Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello will go into the final day tied for the lead on 14 under par 202 after a thrilling penultimate day of the US$8 million DP World Tour Championship on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The Swede – who 12 months ago lifted both the DP World Tour Championship title and The Race to Dubai crown – has already seen 2014 Race to Dubai honours go to World Number One Rory McIlroy.

And with a red-hot Cabrera-Bello the man on form having picked up 15 shots in just two rounds, Stenson knows he faces a fight to the bitter end if he is to become the first repeat winner of the grand finale of The European Tour season.

The swashbuckling Spaniard followed his second round 64 with a brilliant seven under 65 – the joint best round of the day – to join Stenson at the top of the leaderboard when the Swede looked set to go into the final day with a narrow lead over a chasing pack that includes World Number Seven Justin Rose (11 under) and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, England’s Tyrell Hatton, Dane Thorbjorn Olesen and McIlroy on 10 under.

“It’s been a very special round for me and I’m really, really pleased with the score,” said Cabrera-Bello, after running in seven birdies in a round he described as, ‘just hanging in there’.
 
“It’s been a little crazy because I had to work really hard, especially at the beginning. Three under on the front nine could easily have been two or three over par so it’s probably been the best day of my life for the short game. I think that that’s what helped me hang in there and I played better on the back nine, more aggressive, hitting good shots and giving myself a lot of chances.
 
“I know the best players in the world are here but when I play very good, I really believe I can beat anyone. I’ve done it before so I’m just going to try to enjoy it, and if it happens, great. If it doesn’t happen, then I’m still going to put up a good fight.”
 
For Stenson, a round of four under 68 keeps him on course to successfully defend his title, although he knows he faces a stiff challenge from the Spaniard. The World Number Four will go into today’s (Sunday) final round knowing victory will see him not only successfully defend a title for the first time in his career but also make him the first two-time winner of the prestigious DP World Tour Championship trophy.
 
“I wasn’t as hot on the greens as I was yesterday and I left a couple shots out there but all in all, I’ll take that round – I’m still in the race so I’m pleased with that,” he said.
“This is a great championship and, of course, it would mean a lot to defend the title and finally get a win this season. It’s been a good season but at the end of the year when we assess it we will always look at the trophies and so far there has not been any yet. There’s a lot of golf to play and Rafa seems to be on fire so he’s going to be a tough match. There’s also a lot of great players to hold off but we’ll give it a go.”
 
Closest challenger to the joint leaders is England’s Justin Rose who rattled in six birdies in a round of 68 that sees him three shots behind.
 
“Three behind requires a pretty low score,” said Rose, who admitted playing with Cabrera-Bello had been a thrill. “Rafa was unbelievable today. He really struggled with his game over the first few holes and then got some flow going.  He had 15 single -putts today and his short game was Seve-like.  It was a master-class.”
 
While Stenson and Cabrera-Bello will fight it out at the front, Race to Dubai champion McIlroy is still in the mix to win his second ‘Dubai Double’ in three years, although back-to-back double bogeys on the back nine saw him slip back into the chasing pack four shots off the lead, despite racking up six birdies.
 
“It was annoying to follow up a double with another one on the 13th,” said the man from Northern Ireland. “So I was a little frustrated but it was nice to get a couple back on the last few holes.  At least I’ve keep myself in touch going into tomorrow although I can’t afford to stay patient tomorrow. I need to go and get some birdies from the off and see where I can go from there.”
 
The final round of the DP World Tour Championship gets underway on today (Sunday Nov 23) with play commencing at 7.00am before Stenson and Cabrera-Bello take to the course at 12.00pm.