Debutant Stenson snatches lead
SWEDEN’S Henrik Stenson took a surprise first-round lead in the Sun City Challenge with a five-under 67 overnight.
The Ryder Cup player is a shot clear of defending champion Jim Furyk at the par-72 Gary Player Country Club.
Britain’s David Howell and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington carded 69s, with two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen and South African newcomer Charl Schwartzel a further shot behind in the elite 12-man field.
Stenson is one of four debutants in the field and the last first-time winner was Zimbabwe’s Mark McNulty in 1986.
The Swede was using new
clubs for the first time in a competition since changing sponsors a week ago, and he also had six-time major winner Nick Faldo’s former caddie, Fanny Sunesson, carrying his bag the first time.
Despite the changes, he was a model of consistency with five birdies and no bogeys in a near flawless round.
“I’m happy with the day at the office,” said Stenson. “The only tricky thing for me was the swirling wind.
“There’s not a lot of it, but it does make you think.
“I had plenty of chances for birdie in the 20 to 25 foot range which I missed, but in all it was a very good day.
“When you consider my new clubs, new ball, the fact that I have a cold and that I haven’t practised in a week, it was pretty good.”
Furyk, the world No.2, also enjoyed a bogey-free round, which included four birdies.
Harrington made the fastest start, going out in 32. His round included a stretch of four straight birdies between the seventh and the 10th holes, but he bogeyed the 14th and 15th.
“I started to get a little ahead of myself at 14 and was beginning to think I was invincible,” he said.
“But I played well, I was hitting the ball well and the course is only going to get tougher.
“The greens were quite soft today and the pins were generous, but this course has got to be the most severe course for swirling wind.”
Agence France-Presse