Sten-gun Stenson leads
I’m just trying my best to carry on the momentum’ Henrik Stenson DP World Championship leader
Dubai – Henrik Stenson’s, above, form showed no sign of relenting as the Swede, hoping to create history by becoming the first player to win the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour and Race to Dubai crown on the European Tour, took a oneshot lead at the halfway stage of the $8-million DP World Tour Championship yesterday.
At the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates, Stenson never looked in any trouble as he put together a stunning, bogey-free round of eight-under-par 64 – the joint best round of the day.
That gave the 37-year-old a two-day tally of 12-under-par 132, one better than overnight leader, Spain’s Alezandro Canizares, who added a bogey-free 67 to his overnight 66.
Last week’s Turkish Open champion, France’s Victor Dubuisson, moved into contention again with a 66 that took him to a tie of third place at eight-under par 136 alongside Aussie Marcus Fraser (69).
Among those who can deny Stenson the honour of becoming the European No 1 by winning this week, No 2 in the Race to Dubai standings, Englishmen Justin Rose (67), and No 4 Ian Poulter (68) were tied for fourth place at seven-under par 137 alongside Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat (70).
No 3 Graeme McDowell started the day with a bogey, but then quickly regrouped with five birdies to finish with a four-under-par 68 round.
Also moving in the right direction was the defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland. The former world No 1 put together a five-under-par 67 round to move up to a tied ninth place at six-under par, six shots behind leader Stenson.
Stenson, who is playing with an injured right wrist, said he feared he had seriously injured his hand after coming down too steep on the ball on the sixth hole. But luckily for Stenson, and unluckily for the field, the wrist withstood the blow.
After the round, in which he hit 17 greens in regulation for the second successive day, Stenson said: “I’m just trying my best to carry on the momentum.” –