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New Race to Dubai champion Henrik Stenson has earned in the region of $20 million this year on both the PGA and European Tours but he says next year it’s all about capturing his first major.

Stenson capped an incredible season at the weekend by becoming the first man to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup, but he is already looking forward building on his recent success by taking one of the big four tournaments in 2014.

During his post-round press conference, the 37-year-old spoke of his ambitions for the coming year: “I don’t know how I am going to be able to top this next year but I am going to give my best in the majors and that (becoming the first male Swedish player to win one) would be the icing on the cake.”

“I was always going to try hard to make it back on the team for Gleneagles and it seems like, if we’re not cemented, we are pretty close to it.” – Henrik Stenson

Stenson carded a flawless closing round of 64, which included an eagle on the final hole, to finish six shots ahead of nearest challenger Ian Poulter in Dubai and take the Race to Dubai crown.

It was also a good week for some British players who have faced their own struggles during 2013 as Rory McIlroy finished alongside Luke Donald and Lee Westwood in a tie for fifth place.

Ryder Cup points are at the forefront of all European and American players minds this year as the anticipation for the tournament at Gleneagles begins to ramp up and with his success in both the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup, Stenson has all but guaranteed his spot on Paul McGinley’s team.

Stenson added: “That’s been one of my big goals, of course, it was to try and get some points on the board early for the Ryder Cup. Some of my greatest moments in my career have been being part of the Ryder Cup in 2006 and 2008, and then I stood out twice.

“I was always going to try hard to make it back on the team for Gleneagles and it seems like, if we’re not cemented, we are pretty close to it. It’s going to be a great experience again and really looking forward to it.

“Can you guarantee 20 degrees and sunshine the whole week?”

Stenson-Poulter wager update

Stenson and Poulter fought right to the end for the Race to Dubai title, as well as their ‘wager’ but ultimately the Swede took the money.

The wager was one of the first topics mentioned in Stenson’s post-win press conference and he said: “I’ve still to collect that hundred dollar bill, ain’t I. I’m going to get a photographer with me when we do that.”

Poulter was gracious in defeat and said of Stenson: “I have to take my hat off to him, unbelievable. I tried to run him down as hard as I could but even with a sore wrist he has pressed on and I just could not get close enough.

“Henrik has not made a mistake all week and I just had to make sure of second place and some valuable Ryder Cup points. I have thrown a lot at him and given him so much stick, but he is the best player on the planet right now.”

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