Swede leads by one at halfway in Nedbank Challenge

Thunderstorm break was just what the doctor 

ordered for tired Stenson

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Henrik Stenson produced a brilliant back nine for a five under par 67 and a one-stroke halfway lead on 11-under-par 133 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, despite still feeling the effects of a virus.
The Swede spent three days in bed in the build-up to the tournament, but defied fatigue and temperatures of 35 degrees at the Gary Player Golf and Country Club to set the pace with an 11 under par total, one clear of home favourite Jaco Van Zyl, who signed for a 68.
Stenson, who won the tournament here in 2008, admitted he benefited from the two-hour break in play due to afternoon thunderstorms, which came shortly after he had run up three consecutive bogeys from the sixth hole. 
He bounced back with five birdies in seven holes on the back nine, two of which came from long putts.
American Robert Strebb is another stroke back in third place, thanks to a 66, while Australian Marc Leishman is fourth on eight under par.
Quotes
Henrik Stenson
“I’m surprised, given that on Wednesday afternoon I didn’t think I would be able to tee it up. I thought I was done and dusted, so to be leading after two days, it’s a turnaround to say the least.
" I’m getting over the virus, but I was more fatigued this morning than I was yesterday just because of playing yesterday. It takes a lot out of you playing in 35 to 40 degrees when you’re not physically well.
“I was not on a good run before the break. I didn’t do too much wrong but managed to string three bogeys in a row, so at that time it was probably good to have a break, and it really cooled down afterwards for the back nine. 
"I got the putter going – that was hot at least – and made a couple of nice birdie putts. All in all, a very good back nine turned an average round into a good one.”
Jaco Van Zyl
“This tournament is one my dream events to play, and if I do really well here, it’s a means and a way to get into my other dream event, which is the Masters. So I’m very well aware of what’s going on around me here. 
"It felt a little like a duel between me and Henrik. I looked at the leaderboard and I think we were two or three clear of the rest of the field. It’s always good fun, especially if you’re in the same group. You can kind of keep an eye on each other. 
"There’s good reason why he’s number seven in the world, looking at the putts he made coming in. I missed quite a few fairways today which made it a little bit tricky, especially after the rain delay, but overall it was not too bad.”

SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
133 H Stenson (Swe) 66 67
134 J Van Zyl (RSA) 66 68
135 R Streb (USA) 69 66
136 M Leishman (Aus) 68 68
138 K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 70 68
140 R Fisher (Eng) 69 71
141 S Piercy (USA) 73 68, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 70 71, K Bradley (USA) 72 69, E Grillo (Arg) 72 69, C Wood  (Eng) 70 71
142 T Aiken (RSA) 73 69, T Jaidee (Tha) 70 72, L Oosthuizen  (RSA) 70 72, A Sullivan (Eng) 71 71, B An (SKor) 72 70, M Jimenez (Esp) 70 72, D Willett  (Eng) 67 75, B Grace  (RSA) 68 74
143 T Fleetwood  (Eng) 71 72
144 V Dubuisson  (Fra) 71 73
145 S Lowry  (Irl) 74 71, R Knox (Sco) 69 76, C Schwartzel  (RSA) 71 74
146 M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 69 77, M Kaymer (Ger) 75 71
147 W Simpson (USA) 75 72
153 L Westwood (Eng) 72 81
155 S Bowditch (Aus) 77 78, S Kjeldsen (Den) 74 81


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