Stenson, Dechambeau share Bay Hill lead

ORLANDO, Fla. — Henrik Stenson gave himself another chance to win at Bay Hill, and he made it tougher on Tiger Woods.

Stenson made three big par saves at the turn to keep the round from getting away from him, ran off three straight birdies on his back nine and posted a 3-under-par 69 that gave him a share of the 36hole lead Friday with Bryson Dechambeau in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The chilly weather warmed in the afternoon, just not enough for Woods to do the same. He didn’t make a birdie until the 12th hole, never had a birdie putt inside 12 feet except for the par 5s on the back nine and did well to scrap it around for a 72 to go into the weekend seven shots behind.

Dechambeau finished strong with an 8-iron into 7 feet for eagle on the par-5 16th and an approach to 4 feet for birdie on the 18th, giving him a 66 and his third time with a share of the 36-hole lead on the PGA Tour. ▶

Stenson and Dechambeau were at 11-under 133, two shots clear of PGA Tour rookie Talor Gooch (70).

Stenson had a two-shot lead going into the final round in 2015 at Bay Hill and stumbled at the end after getting put on the clock. Two years ago, he was tied for the lead with five holes to play until two bogeys over the next three holes.

His putting carried him to a 64 in the opening round, and it saved him again on Friday.

Temperatures were around 50 when he teed off, and it was clear Stenson has been gone from Sweden too long, living in Dubai and more recently in Orlando. If not for the tournament, he described this as a day to sit in the clubhouse with hot chocolate and wait for it to get warm.

He was strong when it mattered. Ten players were separated by five shots going into the weekend, a group that includes Rickie Fowler (71) and Patrick Reed (70).

Rory Mcilroy was slowed again, this time with two bogeys to start his back nine, though he could accept a 70. Mcilroy was six shots back, which felt like more considering the way Stenson is playing.

Stenson is renowned for his ball striking, and 12 birdies over 36 holes would suggest he’s dialed in this week.

At Phoenix, Cydney Clanton holed out from the fairway for an eagle on the par-4 13th en route to a 5-under 67 for a 9-under 135 total to take the second-round lead in the Founders Cup. Ariya Jutanugarn (68), Marina Alex (66), Karine Icher (69) and Mariajo Uribe (68) were one stroke back.

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