Henrik Stenson pleased even as Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship eludes him again

Swede misses out on 'Desert Slam' again after having won Qatar Masters, DP World Tour Championship and Dubai Desert Classic, writes Paul Radley.

Henrik Stenson missed out on winning a title in Abu Dhabi for a 12th year. Andrew Redington / Getty Images

ABU DHABI // Henrik Stenson’s wait for the one part of the “Desert Slam” so far to elude him goes on.

The Swede won the Qatar Masters in 2006, the DP World Tour Championship twice, and also claimed the Dubai Desert Classic – just down the road from where he used to live at The Meadows – in 2007.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship evaded his grasp for a 12th time this weekend, although the world No 4 was pleased he even contended.

Despite limited practice in the six weeks between the end of last season and the start of this, he finished tied for eighth on 13-under.

“I think I played good enough to potentially go all the way this week, but at the same time, I played 18 holes in six weeks and that was the Pro-Am here on Wednesday,” Stenson said, after his final round 69.

“You’re going to make one or two little mistakes when you haven’t played much golf, and given that, I’m really happy with the state of my game and managing to be up in contention.

“It’s a good start to the year, and like I said, I’m happy with the way I played and given how little I’ve practised, I’ll take it.”

__________________________________

Also from Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

■ Fleetwood: Englishman 'proud' of clinching title on sixth attempt

■ Johnson: American wants to come back and win title next year

■ Numbers: Fleetwood's win, Larrazabal's miss and much more

■ Gallery: Relive final-round action at National Course on Sunday

__________________________________

Rickie Fowler, the outgoing champion, heads back to the United States having finished tied for 36th on his third appearance in the capital.

“I definitely enjoyed our time here in Abu Dhabi, not as well as I would have liked to have played, but still had a good time,” Fowler said, after carding a level-par 72 over the final 18.

“It finished off on a high note with a couple birdies coming in, so I’m looking forward to getting back into action next week in the States. Like I said, had a blast here again this year.”

[e-mail]​

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport