STENSON LEADS EUROPEAN CHALLENGE AT BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL

REPORT FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson will lead the European Tour charge in the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational as he sets his sights on reeling in Tiger Woods.

Stenson signed for a three under par 67 at Firestone Country Club to move into second place, some seven shots back from Woods, who reached 15 under par with a 68.

Englishman Chris Wood is also among those hunting down the 14-time Major winner, lying nine shots back in tied fourth after a 70, alongside his compatriot Luke Donald, who birdied the last for a 68.

Stenson is relishing the challenge of overhauling Woods, but was realistic about his chances given the World Number One’s record of seven wins in 13 appearances in this event.

“It's kind of tough to pick up seven or eight shots on Tiger around here,” said Stenson. “It would take something spectacular on my behalf or any of the other guys around me, and obviously a very, very poor round for him. I'm just going to try to play my game, and I’m excited to go out and play with him tomorrow.”

Wood played in the same group as Woods, the player he idolised growing up, and was delighted with the way he handled an intimidating situation.

“It was a totally new experience for me – the noise on the first tee,” said the Bristol man. “When he chipped in on 13, I've never heard a noise quite so loud on the golf course. But I loved every minute.  We chatted away a little bit, and after three or four holes I felt a lot more settled than I thought I might.

“I want to finish as near as I can to him, really, because that's probably going to be second. And that'll do a lot for me.  I'm here to try to break into the top 50 in the world, and I've got a good chance tomorrow. 

“I need to go out there with the same sort of mindset as I had today. It was a big test for me today, so I feel like I did okay.”

Miguel Angel Jiménez moved up to tied seventh with a brilliant 65, while Masters Tournament winner Adam Scott also jumped up the leaderboard, sharing ninth place after a 66.

EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3x70)
Players from USA unless stated
195 Tiger Woods 66 61 68
202 Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 65 70 67
203 Jason Duffner 67 69 67
204 Luke Donald (England) 67 69 68, Bill Haas 67 68 69, Chris Wood (England) 66 68 70
205 Miguel A Jimenez (Spain) 71 69 65, Keegan Bradley 66 68 71
207 Adam Scott (Australia) 73 68 66, Zach Johnson 69 70 68

SELECTED OTHER SCORES

210 Ian Poulter (England) 69 72 69, Justin Rose (England) 69 72 69, Martin Kaymer (England) 74 67 69, Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 70 69 71, Phil Mickelson 72 71 67, Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 70 71 69 (T17)
212 Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 69 72 71 (T28)
213 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 71 71 71, Lee Westwood (England) 71 71 71, Paul Casey (England) 70 70 73 (T36)
215 Richie Ramsay (Scotland) 73 69 73, Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 74 74 67 (T45)
217 David Lynn (England) 71 73 73 (T53)
218 Martin Laird (Scotland) 77 70 71, Shane Lowry (Ireland) 72 76 70 (T57)

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