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Cape Town - Lee Westwood is keen to continue his perfect start to the season when he tees it up at Dubai Desert Classic off the back of his 25th European Tour victory on Sunday.
The Englishman produced a brilliant final round display to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship - his 44th world-wide title - bringing his winning run into a fourth decade, having secured his maiden title in 1996.
Now the former world No 1 returns to Emirates Golf Club for the 25th occasion - having finished runner up twice in 1999 and 2010 - with a fresh mental approach to the game and as the new Race to Dubai No 1.
"I think the more you win, the more you get used to getting back to being on an even keel. A lot of people, if they are won early in their career, they struggle to bring themselves back again, but I've won a lot of tournaments and I've won weeks back-to-back," said Westwood.
His countryman Tommy Fleetwood was quick to praise the 46-year-old's longevity in the game as he himself searches for another European Tour win in the Middle East following his victories in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018.
"I think most players feel very at home when they come out here. There are so many events now in the Middle East or the UAE; you always start the year out here and hopefully you end the year here. It's not a given but generally we always end the year in Dubai," said Fleetwood.
The world No 10 came close last week, signing for a 63 on Sunday to finish tied second alongside Matthew Fitzpatrick and Victor Perez, yet ultimately has his eyes firmly focused on adding another trophy to his cabinet.
American Bryson DeChambeau joins the world class field as defending championship alongside 2016 and 2017 Masters Champions Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia - who both started their Major winning years with victory at the Dubai Desert Classic - and 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry.
- European Tour
