Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, one of the star players confirmed for the SMBC Singapore Open in January, eclipsed some of the world’s best professionals – including tournament host Tiger Woods – to win the Hero World Challenge at the weekend.
Stenson shot a final round 66 at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas to secure his first victory since the Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour in 2017.
As well as collecting the scalp of Woods, Stenson beat 10 other members of the US Presidents Cup team who were sharpening their games for the contest against the International team in Melbourne later this week.
Stenson, the Open champion in 2016, has endured a poor season by his high standards but the win in the Bahamas showed he is back to his best just weeks ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club.
The Swede will be joined at the January 16-19 showpiece by fellow Major winner Justin Rose and highly rated American Matt Kuchar. Rose, Stenson and Kuchar won the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively at the 2016 Olympic Games golf in Rio.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond will defend his title at the SMBC Singapore Open which will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
At the weekend, Stenson finished a stroke ahead of in-form Spaniard Jon Rahm. American Patrick Reed was third a further shot behind, while Woods had to settle for fourth spot.
Rose shot up the leaderboard with a closing 65 to finish tied fifth.
“It’s been a very average season,” said Stenson. “But it finished on a high.”
