Stenson and McIlroy gearing up for a shot at the Dubai Desert Classic

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The Swede, based in Dubai, put all his efforts into a bogey-free final-round seven-under 65 in Qatar at the weekend but was unable to chase down the winner, Adam Scott.

Stenson moved into second place on the Order of Merit after being forced to settle for a second consecutive runner-up berth.

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McIlroy: gunning for European Ryder Cup selection

Dubai will also pose a big test for Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who will be seeking to qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup team that will play the United States at Valhalla, Kentucky this year.

McIlroy put himself on the golfing map when, playing as an amateur, he shot an opening three-under-par 68 for a tie of third place at the Open Championship at Carnoustie last year.

The Northern Irishman turned professional the day before the 2007 Quinn Direct British Masters last September.

Stenson, a six-time European Tour winner, was joint-second in Abu Dhabi earlier this month but he believes defending his Desert Classic crown at the Emirates Golf Club will be an easier task than the one he faced in Qatar despite world No 1 Tiger Woods being in the field this week.

"Hopefully it's not going to take a 61 in the final round," said Stenson, who also has one eye on defending the WGC Accenture Match Play crown at the end of February, a title he won last year by beating Woods in the final.

"The next two events are going to need something extra, Dubai and the Accenture is going to take some good golfing to defend but I'm looking forward to my challenge."

Looking back on his defeat in Qatar, he said: "It's not often you go out and shoot a 65 and lose by three to somebody who played in front of you. I'm happy with the way I played and I just take my hat off to Adam," added Stenson.

"I kept the fighting spirit, and the putting was good again and the scoring. I didn't shoot a bogey over the weekend.

"I'm really happy and I'm taking the positives and I also have some more Ryder Cup points in the bank and I'll just keep moving forward."