Golf

Henrik Stenson surges four shots clear in Tour Championship at East Lake

Swede in pole position to collect $10m bonus as Tiger Wood falls away

Henrik Stenson of Sweden on his way to a second round 66 in the Tour Championship at East Lake, Georgia yesterday. Photograph: Tami Chappell/Reuters.
Henrik Stenson of Sweden on his way to a second round 66 in the Tour Championship at East Lake, Georgia yesterday. Photograph: Tami Chappell/Reuters.
Fri Sept 20 2013 - 23:15

In-form Swede Henrik Stenson piled up four birdies in his first nine holes, then held steady after the turn to forge four shots clear after yesterday’s second round of the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.

With the FedExCup play-off title and its bonus jackpot of $10m (€7.5m) also on the line at East Lake this week, Stenson tightened his grip on all those honours as he fired a four-under-par 66 on a glorious, sun-splashed day.

The Swede, ranked second in the FedExCup points standings coming into this week, offset a bogey at the 10th with a birdie at the 16th to post a 10-under total of 130 in the fourth and final playoff event.

Stenson’s playing partner, Masters champion Adam Scott, was alone in second, after carding a 69, with PGA Tour rookie sensation Jordan Spieth a further stroke back at five under, after a 67.

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Early charge
World number one Tiger Woods, the FedExCup points leader coming into this week, made an early charge up the leaderboard as he rebounded from an opening 73 but spectacularly collapsed over his last five holes to card a 71.

That left him at four-over 144, a distant 13 strokes off the pace.

“I’m still in contention,” Woods told reporters after getting to five under after 13 holes before an ugly finish that included a triple, a double and a bogey.

“There’s 36 holes. That’s why we play. That’s why we play four rounds. This is not a sprint. It’s tournament golf. It’s four rounds. It’s a marathon. You’ve got to keep plugging around.”

Once again, though, Stenson commanded the spotlight as he continued his bid for a second Tour victory this season. One stroke in front of the pack overnight, the Swede made a sizzling birdie-birdie start on a sun-drenched day at East Lake.
SECOND ROUND SCORES (US unless stated, par 70): 130 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 64 66. 134 Adam Scott (Aus) 65 69. 135 Jordan Speith 68 67. 136 Justin Rose (Eng) 68 68, Dustin Johnson 68 68, Billy Horschel 66 70. 137 Keegan Bradley 72 65, Nick Watney 72 65, Gary Woodland 70 67, Zach Johnson 69 68, Steve Stricker 66 71. 138 Phil Mickelson 71 67, Jim Furyk 70 68, Roberto Castro 67 71. 139 D.A. Points 72 67, Hunter Mahan 70 69, Bill Haas 70 69, Graham DeLaet 68, 71, Webb Simpson 68 71, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 68 71. 140 Luke Donald (Eng) 70 70. 141 Kevin Streelman 69 72. 142 Brendan de Jonge (SA) 70 72, Jason Day (Aus) 68 74. 143 Matt Kuchar 69 74. 144 Tiger Woods 73 71, Jason Dufner 74 70, Brandt Snedeker 69 75. 145 Boo Weekley 70 75. 147 Charl Schwartzel (SA) 68 79.