Henrik Stenson surges five shots clear in Nedbank Challenge in South Africa

FROM THE SUNSHINE TOUR WEBSITE
Sweden's Henrik Stenson picked up five shots over the back nine at the Gary Player Country Club to surge to an impressive five-stroke lead in the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, Johannesburg, South Africa today.
The big-hitting Swede, pictured left, blended accurate tee shots with precision putting for a nine-under 63 to tie the course record set by Ernie Els in the final round of the 2002 event. He leads by five from South African Rory Sabbatini, who posted a flawless 68, and is seven shots clear of England's Lee Westwood, alone in third with an opening 70.
"It was a great day. I've had some good scores here in the past and it's a course I enjoy," said Stenson. The world No. 12 counts a runner-up finish in 2006 and fourth place in 2007 in his previous appearances in this event.
Stenson, who arrived at Sun City on the back of a Swedish triumph with team-mate Robert Karlsson at the World Cup in China, shot from the blocks with three successive birdies and made immediate amends for a bogey at the par-3 seventh with back-to-back birdies to turn in four-under.
But it was on the back nine that the Ryder Cup player really caught fire.
After a birdie at the 10th, Stenson reeled in a birdie-eagle-birdie set from the 13th to 15th holes before completing the last three holes in par.
"I was a little bit tired coming into the tournament, but the birdies came in bunches and I sank a 12-footer on the 13th which started a nice little run for me. I didn't know about the record, but I wish someone had told me because I would definitely have gone one better.
"I only hit driver once today but I had a strong 3-wood. I kept hitting the fairways and played some great iron shots and putted well.
"My game is obviously on and I just need to keep it going tomorrow. It's a strong field and even though I've opened some ground on them, I need to keep my head down tomorrow and stick to business."
Westwood, one of only three players to finish under-par, started with a bogey but finished strong with two birdies in a flawless back nine.
"I started slowly because I had four weeks off since I had my tonsils out and I've only played four times since the Ryder Cup. I felt a little rusty and I wasn't as competitive and sharp as I would have liked.
"I didn't really make any putts today, but I expect I'll get better with each round. I just need to sharpen up on the greens because I let myself down there today."
After a lengthy lay-off due to injury, Luke Donald looks to be on the path to recovery.
The Englishman signed off with an even-par 72 for a share of fourth with Karlsson, South Africa's James Kingston, KJ Choi of Korea, world number two Sergio Garcia of Spain and defending champion Trevor Immelman.
Karlsson, who combined with Stenson for Sweden’s second World Cup victory last week, briefly shared the lead with his team-mate, but a double bogey at the 11th put the brakes on his charge.

Meanwhile, American Kenny Perry shares 10th place with England's Justin Rose after both players carded 73s, while Miquel Angel Jimenez carded a 75.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD

Par 72
63 Henrik Stenson (Swe)
68 Rory Sabbatini (SAf)
70 Lee Westwood (Eng)
72 Robert Karlsson (Swe), Trevor Immelman, James Kingston, Sergio Garcia (Spa), KJ Choi (Kor), Luke Donald (Eng)
73 Kenny Perry (USA), Justin Rose (Eng)
75 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa)