Die Allianz T-D-P » so its yet another body blow and a major body blow

Robert Lee reflects on another memorable European Tour season and looks forward to Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton flying the flag for English golf in the future. The 2016 season is in the can, and we were treated to an entertaining finale in Dubai as Matt Fitzpatrick finished strongly to pip Tyrrell Hatton to the title, while Open champion Henrik Stenson regained the Race to Dubai crown. Henrik Stenson was crowned Race to Dubai champion for the second time Weve only got a 10-day break in between seasons, although most of the big-name players tend to take around six weeks off to recharge before coming back in January. But the guys that have just earned their cards cannot wait to get going. The last thing they want to do is have a long wait before having the chance to establish themselves on Tour. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! The priority for the lesser-ranked players is to get into the stronger fields over the Desert Swing, so they will be looking for a strong performance over the next couple of weeks, or back in South Africa early in January. Thats why these early-season events are so important. Without them, a lot of players would not get the chance to tee it up until February. Matt Fitzpatrick produced a superb finish to clinch the season finale in Dubai But one of the guys that doesnt have to worry about that is Fitzpatrick, who ended the 2016 campaign with a classy win over a world-class field in Dubai. It was his second win of a season that has been a little inconsistent in terms of results, although I dont really see him as a streaky player.In 29 starts, Matt had five top-10 finishes including the two victories, but he is just 22 years of age and time is very much on his side. The way he plays, theres no doubt in my mind well see him in the top 10 on a far more regular basis, and his success in Dubai should be a catalyst for that. Matt Fitzpatrick reflects on claiming a narrow one-shot victory at the DP World Tour Championship Hes very solid from tee to green, doesnt make many mistakes and he is an excellent putter. With such a strong all-round game, Matt should be in contention most weeks and I think well see that as he matures. He has got a lot to look forward to.Stenson was crowned Race to Dubai champion for the second time, and his achievement was very special considering he made only 13 appearances on the European Tour over the season. Obviously, he played well in most of the big events, highlighted by his long-awaited maiden major title at The Open. Stensons final round 63 at The Open was one of the greatest rounds ever played But he is a worthy European No 1, and his astonishing performance to fend off Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon in July was surely the round of the year, if not one of the greatest rounds ever played. To shoot 63 in the final round of The Open and get your name on the Claret Jug, that is the mark of a Race to Dubai champion.Danny Willett finished second in the Race to Dubai for the second year running, and it was a shame he had only two top 10 finishes following his memorable win at the Masters - which was arguably the shock result of the year, even for Danny! Danny Willetts form dipped after his shock Masters victory To win at Augusta in only your second appearance is a very rare feat, and it seemed highly unlikely when Jordan Spieth opened up a huge lead by the turn. But Spieths amazing collapse opened the door for Danny, and he took his chance in some style.He knew he had the lead by the time he hit that stunner to six feet at 16 and popped in the putt for birdie, and he finished it off beautifully. Willett was the Race to Dubai runner-up for the second year in a row Making the adjustment to being a Masters champion can be tough to handle, and I think we saw that with Danny over the summer, and his ongoing back issues havent helped. Hes certainly not the only one with back problems, look at Jason Day over the second half of the season.Danny has already revealed he is working with his coaching team on a few swing changes to alleviate the pain in his back, and hopefully hell find something that works and allows him to practise and play as much as he needs to next year. Alex Noren claimed four European Tour wins, and his final-day performance in South Africa was astonishing As Willett struggled with his game during the summer, Alex Noren was at the opposite end of the spectrum and enjoyed the best season of his career by far. Four wins in his last 12 events kept him in with a shout in the Race to Dubai, and his remarkable Nedbank victory lifted the Swede to world No 9.I didnt think anyone could top Jeunghun Wangs 64 on the third day in South Africa when the greens were firm and fast, the wind was up and the pins were tucked away. But then Alex Noren fires a 63 on Sunday and turns a six-shot overnight deficit into a handsome six-shot win. Alex has played some amazing golf this year, and it was just a shame he didnt quite find enough in time to get himself into Europes Ryder Cup team Robert Lee He was nine under par after 11 holes, and that was something I just couldnt see, not on that golf course. Alex has played some amazing golf this year, and it was just a shame he didnt quite find enough in time to get himself into Europes Ryder Cup team.With the form he was in, he would have been a huge asset at Hazeltine, but he just left it a little too late unfortunately. Alex might not have made his Ryder Cup debut, but four wins since July is a magnificent season - a significant achievement for a man who had serious wrist and hand injuries in 2014 that looked likely to end his career. Tyrrell Hatton made his breakthrough at the Home of Golf He must have been so frustrated at being on the sidelines for so long, but hes made up for that in a big way. Alex is one of the nicest guys out there, and Im so pleased for him. Alex ended up third on the Race to Dubai, one place ahead of Tyrrell Hatton, who was one of the most exciting players to watch over the season.Tyrrells game is based around aggression and intensity and I really like his style. Hes a seriously good golfer, and to break through in the manner that he did at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was superb. Hatton was one of the most exciting players to watch last season He couldnt quite close it out in Dubai after leading for so long, but hes had a fantastic year and I look forward to seeing him and Fitzpatrick flying the flag for English golf on the European Tour in 2017.Tyrrell also enjoyed two excellent major performances, fifth at The Open and 10th at the PGA Championship, and overall he had 10 top-10 finishes in his 24 starts during the season. Englands Tyrell Hatton claimed his first European Tour title as he won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with a record-equalling score of 23-under par He struggled in the past for being a little too hot-headed, but hes learned to curb his natural, attacking instincts and hes become one of the best players in Europe. Hes still got that raw passion and you can see hes combustible, but Tyrrell can keep a lid on it now and hes been rewarded.As for Rory McIlroy, he has still had a pretty good year despite a couple of disappointing weeks in the majors. He won the FedExCup for the first time, and his late-season form has taken him back to second in the world rankings. No majors, but Rory McIlroy finished the year strongly and is close to reclaiming the world No 1 spot Rory remains one of a handful of players who can compete on both sides of the Atlantic, and although hes had a few downturns in 2016, he is currently on an upward curve and regaining that world No 1 spot cannot be too far away.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Special win for Fitzpatrick Stenson wins Race to Dubai Golf live on Sky Sports 4 European Tour Schedule Nico Hischier Jersey . 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Cory Schneider Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable.Maria Sharapova had four months notice before meldonium was added to the banned substance list in January, the World Anti-Doping Agency have confirmed. The five-time Grand Slam winner shocked the world of sport on Monday when she announced she had failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.Sharapova revealed she had been taking meldonium legally for 10 years to deal with an irregular heartbeat and a history of diabetes in her family. She claimed she was unaware the drug - which Latvian manufacturers say should be taken for four to six weeks - had been put on WADAs banned list. Sir Craig Reedie confirmed athletes were first informed about WADAs new list of banned substances in September However, WADA chief Sir Craig Reedie confirmed the new list of prohibited substances was issued four months before it came into force.We researched this drug and then put it on a monitoring system for a year and then we put it on the list as from January 2016, Reedie said on Sky Sports News HQ.The new list is distributed on the first of September last year, so athletes have four months to understand it and that it comes into effect on the first of January. Former WADA chief Dick Pound says Sharapova has no excuse Dick Pound, WADAs independent commission chairman and former chief, said Sharapovas positive test is a major blow for tennis and is in disbelief over the 28-year-olds claims of innocence.Its a huge negative for tennis, in general and not to mention the consequences she will suffer, Pound told Sky Sports Amy Lewis.Shes one of only two real poster girls in the sport. Its a sport which has been under attack for match fixing and all sorts of other nefarious activities, so its yet another body blow and a major body blow. Sharapova: Ive failed a drugs test Maria Sharapova reveals positive drugs test at Australia Open Pound is in no doubt that Sharapova was aware that meldonium had been declared a prohibited substance by WADA.ddddddddddddhe either knew, or she chose not to know, but theres no excuse for it, added Pound.It was announced by WADA, I think there were five of six separate notices sent to her by the WTA and she either didnt read them, which is what she said, or read them and carried on anyway. Maria reckless beyond description Maria Sharapova has only herself to blame for failing a drugs test, according to former WADA chief Im not in the punishment business but I think the ITF is going to have to make a decision as to how strongly they feel about doping in their sport and that could potentially be a four-year suspension.She will be arguing mitigating circumstances and so on thats what lawyers are for and they will come up with a sanction and then WADA will have to decide whether its appropriate and if they dont think its appropriate there is the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Sharapova beat Serena Williams to win the Wimbledon title when she was just 17-years-old in 2004 Somebody that has been at the peak of a sport which has doping problems for 10 years, what is it 2004 she won Wimbledon, shes aware of doping and the fact there will be tests, especially as the higher up the tournament, the more likely you are to be tested.There is no excuse for not knowing, shes running a $30m-a-year personal business and its her job to make sure she doesnt do anything that prevents her from participating. Also See: Sharapova may avoid long ban What is meldonium Sponsors drop Sharapova Bollettieri shocked at news ' ' '