Stenson holed five birdies and a bogey on his final round

ROUND FOUR LEADERBOARD
(GB & Ire unless stated):
-19 H Stenson (Swe)
-18 E Els (SA)
-17 N Fasth (Swe), T Woods (USA)
-16 R Fisher
Selected others:
-12 C Montgomerie
-11 A Coltart
-9 D Clarke, P Price, P Casey
-8 L Westwood, P Broadhurst

Sweden's Henrik Stenson carded a four under par final round of 68 to ensure a one-shot victory in a thrilling end to the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 30-year-old finished 19 under for the tournament, holding his nerve on the last to repel overnight leader Ernie Els, who was second on 18 under.

Tiger Woods ended tied third with Niclas Fasth on 17 under after their respective rounds of 69 and 68.

Englishman Ross Fisher's final round of 71 earned him fifth place on 16 under.

Living here in Dubai and having my friends and family with me this week was something special Henrik Stenson

Stenson reached the par-five 18th with a one stroke lead over Els, who started the day two shots ahead but lost vital ground with three bogeys in the first six holes.

He laid up in two while Els hit over the back of the green but Dubai-based then Stenson hit a superb approach over the water to 10 feet and calmly sunk the winning putt.

But it was the world number 14's four-under back nine of 33 - including a run of three birdies in four holes from the 11th - that really set the platform.

"I fought hard all week and to beat Ernie by one shot feels awesome," said Stenson, who was ably assisted by Nick Faldo's former caddie Fanny Sunesson.

Woods congratulates England's Ross Fisher on his fifth place

"I hit a pretty good approach at the last and I could not have left myself a better putt than that one.

"Living down here in Dubai and having my friends and family with me this week is something special."

"It is also nice to beat Tiger obviously," he added. "It is probably the first tournament I have won that he has been in."

Els was magmanimous in defeat and added: "Henrik played great.

"I knew after the start I just wanted to give myself a chance coming down the stretch but some of the strokes I made out there were not quite me."

606 DEBATE: How do you rate Stenson's performance?

Defending champion Woods carded back-to-back bogeys after the turn which made his chase of the leaders almost impossible.

He responded with three straight birdies from the 12th, but it was all too late as he came in with a 69.

"That was one of the worst putting weeks I've had in a long time," Woods said.