Henrik Stenson believes he has made the United Arab Emirates his "home" as he gets ready to tee off for the first time in 2019 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.
The 11-time European Tour event winner is opening the year at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the 14th successive season and the Swede is desperate to claim his maiden victory at the event.
Stenson has had plenty of near misses at the tournament, finishing second in 2006 and 2008 as well as registering top-ten finishes in his last three appearances and is targeting a place in the winner's circle this time around.
The 42 year old said: "Always feels good to come back to this part of the world, having made it my home for quite a few years in the past and this is the way I've started up my season every year I think for, which edition is this, the 14th?
"It's kind of the same old, but it's great to be back. Great course this week. Great weather. I've got part of my team here. It's a good way to kick off the season for sure.
I think he'll just make it his own and he'll be a good Captain - Henrik Stenson on 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington
"I feel like I've had the same answers and I've had the same questions for the last couple of times. It's always tough winning golf tournaments.
"Motivation is a big part and feeling fresh and ready to go is always important ingredients in playing well, and a good track record is also something that can help.
"We've got two seconds and a third, and nice little bunch of top tens other than that. We'll try and make it happen this year."
Stenson was part of the successful European Team at 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in September, winning in all three of his matches as the hosts secured their second-largest margin of victory over the United States with a 17 ½ to 10 ½ triumph.
Last week, Padraig Harrington was confirmed as the European Team Captain for the 2020 edition at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin and the Swede welcomed the three-time Major Championship winner's appointment.
"On my end it was very expected," Stenson said. "It felt like for sure that he was kind of next in line and that he's up and ready for it. He's been a Vice Captain and he's played on numerous Ryder Cup teams.
"He's been a world-class player for many, many years, and a very successful one.
"I think he'll just make it his own and he'll be a good Captain."
The turn of the year has brought a host of changes to the rulebook, which the players will utilise for the first time on the European Tour in Abu Dhabi and Stenson believes they are positive alterations.
"I think in general, it's good changes. Most of the things are there to make it easier and better. Quicker.
"But of course in the beginning, it's going to be a bit of a learning curve for everyone and you need to spend a bit of time getting to know the ways of dropping and how to address in situations when we're out on the golf course."
