Three share Hero lead
Finau, Stenson, Rahm at 13 under
NASSAU, Bahamas — Tony Finau had never seen Albany Golf Club until the pro-am at the Hero World Challenge, and one aspect of the course caught his eye immediately.
“When I’m playing well, I feel like I can score on any golf course, especially a course that has five par 5s,” Finau said.
He made birdie on four of them Saturday, leading him to a 5-under 67 that gave him a share of the lead with Henrik Stenson and Jon Rahm and set up a wide-open conclusion that could feature more than half the 18-man field.
The tournament host is not among them.
Tiger Woods took three shots from just off the green at the par-5 third hole — chipping is tough on everyone at Albany — for a double bogey and a ragged start that never got much better until a few late birdies salvaged a 72.
He was in last place, 11 shots out of the lead.
“It’s definitely not alarming, for sure,” said Woods, in his first 72-hole event since winning the Tour Championship. “I just haven’t played clean.”
Stenson and Rahm each had a 3-under 69 to join Finau at 13-under 203.
Stenson and Finau are going for their first victory of the year, even though this holiday event is not attached to any tour and is considered unofficial except for the world ranking points, which are more than four of the domestic events in the fall on the PGA Tour.
Finau did everything right except win this year, including his first Ryder Cup appearance. Stenson has won at least once around the world in five of the past six years.
Winning is always nice,” said Stenson, a runner-up to Hideki Maruyama two years ago in the Bahamas. “It never gets old no matter how big or small the tournament. You can’t say that this is a small tournament given the field. Who you’re playing against is obviously going to give you a nice boost if you managed to win it.”
Gary Woodland, who was over par toward the end of his opening round, had a 67 and suddenly is only two shots behind. Rickie Fowler also had a 67, and suddenly the defending champion is back in the mix at three shots behind.
Fowler’s name was mentioned more than once Saturday. A year ago, he started seven shots behind and closed with a tournament-best 61 to win by four.
“If you get wind all day, you don’t expect people to low,” Rahm said. “But I don’t think they did last year, and Rickie shot 11 under, right? I’ve kept saying it the same way. I think whoever plays the par 5s ... with the better score’s going to have a chance.”
Advantage Finau, at least over the past two days.
He decided to add 2 degrees of loft to his putter after opening with a 72, and he has followed with rounds of 64-67.