Here's why Henrik Stenson has a plaque on the 18th hole of the Earth Course, the venue of the DP World Tour Championship
Henrik Stenson's victory during the 2013 DP World Tour Championship saw him earn his eighth European Tour title and first Race to Dubai crown, and his final approach shot of the day was so good it was rewarded with a plaque from the very spot he hit the club on the 18th fairway.
The shot - a three-wood from 248 yards on the par-five 18th - landed on the green and rolled to tap-in range for a closing eagle, which secured a six stroke victory and set a tournament-record total of 25 under par thanks to a flawless Sunday 64.
It was aptly named the European Tour shot of the year in 2013.
Henrik Stenson's 3-wood into 18 in 2013...
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) December 8, 2020
It never gets old 👏#DPWTC #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/993UOn3u2W
It marked the end of a remarkable resurgent season that had included US success, a runner-up finish at the Open Championship and third place at the US PGA, Stenson knew that a victory in the final event of the season would see him crowned European Number One for the first time, and it was the capping off of a 'dream season' for him.
"I played so well this week,” he said afterwards. “I knew the guys would try to catch me, especially Ian who never gives up. I wanted to stay ahead of him and I managed to do that. It has been a dream season.”
Stenson’s victory helped secure his place in the 2014 Ryder Cup squad, and he would go on to win the Race to Dubai title again in 2016 – the same year he became the first Swedish male player to win a Major championship.
