Stenson Takes Home another Honor


Henrik Stenson's fabulous 2013 continued to be recognized Tuesday with his being named the European Tour's Golfer of the Year. The 37-year-old received the award after winning the Tour's Race to Dubai's money title and the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup.

Stenson's victories included the European Tour's season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, and the PGA Tour's Deutsche Bank Championship and Tour Championship. He's the first Swede to win the award.

"It's a big honor to be voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year," Stenson said. "It just reflects the stellar year I have had. You can call it a dream season, year of my life, whatever you want. It has been an unbelievable year and I am delighted to win this award, especially as I am the first Swede to do so."

Last year's winner was Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, while other golf luminaries on the Continent have also received the honor. "You look at the past winners of this award and most of the greats of European golf are on there, which just adds to the prestige of winning it. To win the FedEx Cup and the American Tour Championship in some style and then follow that up by taking the Race to Dubai was very special."

Last week Stenson received the 2013 Golf Writers Trophy, an award that goes to the year's top golfer who was born or lives in Europe. The award is presented annually by the Association of Golf Writers, a group of scribes based in Europe.

"I'm not sure how I top it, to be honest," he added about his stellar season. "I am not sure many people will get the chance to do what I did this year, but I just need to keep working hard and pushing forward. The majors are the biggest goal for me now and if I can continue to play at the level I have been then I feel I can have a pretty good shot at them."

Stenson will open his 2014 campaign in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which starts January 16. Among other players in that tournament will be reigning British Open champion, U.S. Open winner Justin Rose and McIlroy.

"2013 finished on a high in the UAE and it would be great if 2014 started on a high in the UAE," noted Stenson. "The country was a fantastic home for us for eight years and I've always enjoyed playing there."