Henrik Stenson will be hoping to conjure memories of his ‘special victory’ when he returns to compete in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club from February 4 to 7.

The first golfer to win the Tour Championships on the PGA and European Tours in the same season in 2013, Stenson savoured “extra satisfaction” when he won the 2007 edition of the European Tour event for his first success in a tournament featuring Tiger Woods.

“It’s always nice to beat Tiger obviously. He is a great player, so of course that gives you extra satisfaction to beat him,” Stenson said at the time.

It was the South African great Ernie Els who posed the biggest threat to Stenson in 2007 before the Swede competed a thrilling one-shot victory, drilling his sand wedge to within seven feet for a birdie on the final green.

“To play four rounds with Ernie and to beat him by a shot coming down the stretch was pretty cool,” said Stenson who since has become one of the most consistent players on the tour, one who has spent over 100 weeks ranked in the world’s top-10.

The 39-year-old from Gothenburg, who finished in a tie for third at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last week, believes it will be fun to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic which is so close his heart, having been a long-time Dubai resident before moving full-time to the United States in 2012.

“It feels nice to get back to a golf course where you have played a number of times. I like the (Majlis) course because it has very good variation. You don’t get tired of playing on the course. You can play over and over again — and still it’s fun to play, said Stenson, who underwent a surgery in December to clean up the meniscus in his right knee.

“There are not too many courses I know better than the Majlis. I feel like I know this course inside out, and had the success in 2007 and another couple of high finishes. So, it’s a really an enjoyable week for me in Dubai,” said Stenson, who boasts 17 professional wins, including nine on the European Tour since turning pro in 1998.

Commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, the promoters and organizers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic: “We are delighted to welcome back our former champion, who is a great friend of Dubai and one who enjoys a tremendous fan following here.

“If Henrik has been one of the most sought-after players on the tour, it is because of hard work and total dedication to the game. His presence will certainly bring special energy to any tournament. I wish him the very the best and hope he has a great year with the 2016 Olympics on the horizon.”

The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic are backed by OMEGA as the title sponsor and Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC as sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, JA Resorts and Hotels, Mercedes-Benz and wasl, while Dubai Duty Free, Neocasa Interiors and Motivate Publishing are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.