Stenson ahead at Wyndham C’ship

los angeles — Henrik Stenson, who is looking for his first win since capturing the British Open last year, fired his second straight 66 to seize a one-stroke lead at the Wyndham Championship.

The former world number two Stenson finished strong with four birdies in his final six holes to reach 16-under 194 at the US PGA Tour event at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“Got to keep producing chances,” said Stenson, who is ranked ninth in the world. “What I’ve done so far is working pretty well and I’m playing the course the way I think it’s best for me.

“I hope it’s the same (mindset Sunday).”

Americans Kevin Na (65), second round co-leader Webb Simpson (68) and Ollie Schniederjans (66) were tied for second just one shot back at 15-under 195.

Johnson Wagner shot a fiveunder 65 and was tied for fifth, two strokes adrift of Stenson.

Showing why he is the highest-ranked player in the tournament, Sweden’s Stenson finished the way he started his round, with string of four birdies over six holes.

He had back-to-back birdies on the second and third hole and No. 5 and No. 6. Sandwiched in between was a bogey on the parfour fourth.

Playing for the first time at the Wyndham, Stenson has adapted well to the fast greens. It showed on the par-four sixth as he drained a 17-foot slightly downhill putt into the center of the cup.

His biggest stumble of the day was a double bogey on the parthree seventh hole.

He recovered on the back with a late charge that he kicked off with a birdie on No. 13. — AFP