Reigning Open Champion Henrik Stenson was pleased to add yet another trophy to his collection ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Stenson stopped off in Stockholm to attend Monday night's Swedish Sports Awards, where he saw off competition from FIA World Rallycross champion Mattias Ekström, Olympic showjumping silver medallist Peder Fredricson and Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be named Male Sports Athlete of the Year.
The World Number Four, who also won a silver medal in Rio, was delighted to be recognised for his achievements in 2016.
He said: "I had a quick little stop in Stockholm on my way over here. So I managed to pick that up on Monday night. It was a good, fun evening, seeing a lot of old faces, familiar faces and family and friends. I got that award for my good play last year.
"It's always nice to get awards within your sport but when you are getting awards that kind of compete with other sports as well, it makes it just that little bit extra special. So I had a good stop in Stockholm."
I hope we can carry on from where I left it last year, and we'll just see if it's been conserved well enough over Christmas - Henrik Stenson
This week's event at Abu Dhabi Golf Club will be Stenson's first outing of the new European Tour season and the Swede is hoping to pick up where he left off before the Christmas break.
He added: "It's a bit of a soft start for me in terms of practice, but the game feels pretty good.
"So I hope we can carry on from where I left it last year, and we'll just see if it's been conserved well enough over Christmas."
Stenson has been coming to this event every year since its inception in 2006 and holds the course record.
The Swede insists the course is tougher now than when he posted a sensational 62 in his third round 11 years ago.
"It's a tougher golf course than it was," he said. "And the tournament as a whole has progressed.
"It's getting better every year. I think it's great for the fans and the hospitality and also for the players."
Meanwhile, American Dustin Johnson is making his first appearance at this event and cannot wait to get started.
The US Open champion said: "Obviously I'm very excited to be here.
"HSBC invited me to come play. All the tournaments I've played in that they do, they do a great job.
"I'm excited to come play over here in the Middle East and Abu Dhabi for the first time.
"I got to see the golf course yesterday. It's fantastic and in really good shape. I'm excited for this week."
