Stenson’s 66 floats his boat
NASSAU, Bahamas — Henrik Stenson is tied with Jon Rahm for the lead in the Hero World Challenge entering the weekend at Albany Golf Club.
Stenson, who spent Thanksgiving in the Bahamas with his family, was asked, after he shot a 6-under-par 66 on Friday, if working on his game over the holiday has helped him this week.
“Well, if you think boating is working on the game, then I did a lot of practice,’’ Stenson said with a smile. “No, I had an extra day, I guess, compared to most of the guys. End of the season, we’re just trying to do a little bit and warm up and play and conserve energy.
“But I’m feeling pretty good. Putting’s been really solid these first couple of days. Short game as well, a lot of good up and downs. A couple of wishy-washy shots, but all in all, in good shape.’’
Good enough shape to be 10under through two days along with Rahm, who scorched Albany with a 9-under 63 Friday.
Stenson and Rahm lead Dustin Johnson, who shot 67 on Friday, and Patrick Cantlay (70) by a shot, and Tony Finau (64) by two. Gary Woodland is four back at 6-under, defending champion Rickie Fowler is five back at 5-under and Keegan Bradley, Justin Rose and Justin Thomas are six back at 4-under.
Tiger Woods, the tournament host, is eight shots back at 2-under.
Stenson, before the tournament, joked he has finished second in this event and second-tolast and he’d be trying to better both of those this week.
“I’ll try and make it to the finish line,’’ he said.
Rahm, asked to sum up his bogey-free day, said: “I missed one fairway, I believe. I hit it so solid off the tee, I was always in the fairway with a short club in. Besides that, followed with some good iron play. I capitalized on the easier holes, played really good. Was 3-for-3 out of sand saves. It didn’t seem like much could go wrong.’’
Rahm said his confidence has been buoyed by his performance at the Ryder Cup, his first.
“I learned a lot about myself that week, but I’ve always been about as confident as I can be about myself,’’ he said. “That’s probably the No. 1 thing that got me to this point, just belief and confidence that I could do what I set myself to do.’’