Stenson named Golfer of the Year

Henrik Stenson has capped a stunning season by being named the European Tour Golfer of the Year.

The 37-year-old from Gothenburg became the first player from Sweden to win the award after creating history by becoming the first player to win the Race To Dubai and FedExCup in the same year.

It wasn’t just Stenson’s success but the manner of them which caught the eye. He won two of the FedExCup Playoff events – the Deutsche Bank Championship and Tour Championship – to take the PGA Tour’s honour, before romping to a six-shot victory in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai to finish the year as the European Tour’s No.1 golfer.

Not surprisingly, he was delighted to have been chosen for this award by a panel comprising golf journalists from newspapers and magazines, as well as commentators from radio and television

“It’s a big honour to be voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year,” said Stenson. “It just reflects the stellar year I have had. You can call it a dream season, year of my life, whatever you want. It has been an unbelievable year and I am delighted to win this award, especially as I am the first Swede to do so.

“You look at the past winners of this award and most of the greats of European golf are on there, which just adds to the prestige of winning it. To win the FedExCup and the Tour Championship in some style and then follow that by taking the Race to Dubai was very special.

“It’s a big honour to be voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year” – Henrik Stenson

“Winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where I had made my home for ten years, in the style I won it, in front of so many family and friends, was something I will never forget. I’m not sure how I top it to be honest. I am not sure many people will get the chance to do what I did this year but I just need to keep working hard and pushing forward.

“The majors are the biggest goal for me now and if I can continue to play at the level I have been then I feel I can have a pretty good shot at them.”

George O’Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, congratulated Stenson, saying: “There is absolutely no doubt that Henrik Stenson is a fully deserving winner of the Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year award.

“His unprecedented success was the result of the most tremendous consistency and hard work, and to finish it all off in such style at the DP World Tour Championship to secure the Race to Dubai was quite remarkable.”

Derek Lawrenson, chairman of the Association of Golf Writers and golf correspondent of the Daily Mail, added: “The 2013 season was another remarkable one for European Tour golf and quite simply a dream year for Henrik Stenson. To be the unanimous winner of the European Tour Golfer of the Year in a season which saw Justin Rose win his first major championship really speaks volumes to Henrik’s frightening level of consistency.

“I cannot recall a more devastating performance in a European Tour event than Stenson’s at the DP World Tour Championship. He was playing at a different level to the rest of what was a truly world-class field and is unquestionably the 2013 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year.”

Stenson’s season at a glance

A quick look at how Henrik Stenson played during what was a ‘stellar’ 2013 for the big Swede.

European Tour

Events played: 17

Cuts made: 17

Wins: 1

Runner-up: 2

Stroke average: 69.72

Earnings: €4,103,796

PGA Tour

Events played: 18

Cuts made: 16

Wins: 2

Runner-up: 3

Stroke average: 69.29

Earnings: $6,388,230

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor