2013 European Tour Golf: Henrik Stenson Poised To Make History In Dubai

It took two rounds at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai for 2013 FedEx Cup Champion, Henrik Stenson to gain control of this tournament, but an eight under par 64 on Friday did the trick. The 37 year-old Swede is attempting to make history this week by being the first player to win the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour, and the Race To Dubai on European Tour in the same year.

Stenson got in the clubhouse with a twelve under par total, and a one-shot lead over his nearest competitor Alejandro Canizares, after the Spaniard put his second shot in the water on the par five finishing hole. Canizares made a lengthy putt for par on the 18th hole to hang onto second place.

After a slow start in Shanghai, it appears Henrik Stenson has his game back on-track in Dubai. His laser guided irons came back last week in Turkey, and on Friday, the putts started to drop. His Race To Dubai competitors, Justin Rose, and Ian Poulter are both playing well in Dubai, but they have been unable to match the shots that the Swede is making.

Poulter, and Rose are at seven under par, and five shots back. Number three in the chase, Graeme McDowell is at four under par after shooting even par on Thursday, and will need a miracle to catch Stenson. The chasers need for Henrik Stenson to have some bad luck, and it doesn’t appear at this point that the Swede is going to fold.

The biggest charge is coming from last weeks winner in Turkey, Frenchman, Victor Dubuisson. The first-time winner at the Turkish Airlines Open shot a second round 66 on Friday, and is in a tie for third place with Marcus Fraser from Australia at eight under par.

First round leader, Alejandro Canizares shot another bogey-free round on Friday, but he just didn’t make enough birdies to keep pace with Stenson. The Spaniard had the chance to get in the clubhouse with a tie, but the errant second shot on eighteen put him in firm control of second place when they tee it up on Saturday.

Canizares began the week in 54th place, and doesn’t pose a threat to Stenson’s effort to win the Race To Dubai. Dubuisson is in ninth place, and he would need a miracle to win the Championship. Right now it’s all Henrik Stenson!

Source: EuropeanTour.com

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