24 Nov 2014

Sweden Stenson defends Dubai title

7:08 am on 24 November 2014

Sweden's top golfer Henrik Stenson is celebrating a big payday after the final event of the European season.

Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson

Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson Photo: Photosport

Stenson overcame sweltering desert heat, fatigue and an out-of-bounds shank to retain the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the first time the Swede has successfully defended a title.

The Swede won by two strokes to collect the 1.7 million dollars first prize, and another 1-million dollars as runner up on the season's money list.

He'll end the year as world number two behind Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.

Stenson began the day as joint overnight leader along with Rafael Cabrera-Bello on 14-under, three strokes clear of their nearest challenger, but after a promising start the leading pair retreated to nervous, defensive golf as the chasing pack closed in.

"Kind of middle of the round, a few things didn't go my way. I was hanging in there fighting hard and I got my reward in the end," Stenson told reporters.