Just Czech out Henrik’s form again

HENRIK STENSON is surprised to still be in contention for a first win in a full-field event for four years in the Czech Masters.

The Sweden is yet to drop a shot at Albatross Golf Resort after adding a 69 to his opening 67 for a halfway total of eight under par, two shots behind compatriot Sebastian Soderberg.

The former Open champion won the 18-man Hero World Challenge in December 2019 but has not won a regular event since the 2017 Wyndham Championship.

On his 69, he said: “I think that speaks volumes of my putting, course management and some tidy shots around the greens when I have been missing.

“I definitely give my putting the biggest credit these first two days as to why we’re bogey-free and in a good position.

“There’s more to ask with the long game, I want a bit more than I have produced these two days. But we’re in good shape.”

Stenson is a long way outside the automatic qualifying places for next month’s Ryder Cup.

But he has not given up hope of impressing European captain Padraig Harrington – his playing partner over the first two days – to earn a wild card for Wisconsin.

He said: “I’ve four tournaments to build some momentum to be in the hat that Padraig is going to pick three names out of.

“I expected to give it my best and scoring-wise it’s probably better than I was hoping for coming in from three weeks off.”

Jon Rahm hit a four-under 67 to lead the Northern Trust – the first of three FedExCup play-off events – on 12 under, one shot clear of American Tony Finau.