Share

Stenson seizes Deutsche Bank lead

Norton - Henrik Stenson fired four birdies and an eagle in a six-under par 65 on Sunday to seize the third-round lead in the Deutsche Bank Championship.

The Swede's 13-under total of 200 was one stroke in front of American Rickie Fowler, with American Sean O'Hair and Aussie Matt Jones a further stroke back on 202 after a day when world number one Rory McIlroy and PGA Champion Jason Day were unable to make a move up the leader board.

"It was a good day out there," Stenson said. "I was striking it nicely today."

Day, the world number three who came into the tournament with a chance to supplant McIlroy atop the rankings, had a double-bogey, three bogeys and three birdies in a two-over 73 that left him tied for 25th on four-under 209.

"There's no excuse for poor playing," said Day, who saw a run of 22 straight rounds of par or better end. "I just wish I had a little bit more energy."

McIlroy, playing his second tournament since he was sidelined by an ankle injury in July, remained at 2-over after an even-par 71 at TPC Boston that included three birdies and three-bogeys.

McIlroy, winner of the 2012 Deutsche Bank title, birdied the par-five 18th to avoid a second straight over-par round.

But his inability to mount a challenge means Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth could again grab the number-one world ranking, even though the 22-year-old American missed the cut on Saturday and won't be around for the Labour Day holiday finish on Monday.

If Day doesn't win, and McIlroy finishes outside the top 10, Spieth could still regain the summit he reached with a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship and held for two weeks.

"It's a mathematical system with algorithms and all sorts of different things," McIlroy said of the two-year rolling points formula for determining number one. "It's not something I really worry about."

Stenson, runner-up to Day last week at the Barclays, is gunning for a second Deutsche Bank title. He won the event in 2013 on the way to winning the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoff title and its $10 million bonus.

"It's always good to be back at a course where you've performed well and played well," Stenson said. "I'll just try to keep it going."

He had three birdies on the front nine plus an eagle at the par-four fourth hole.

"Set it off straight on line with the pin, which I was trying to do," Stenson said of his three-wood off the tee at the fourth, which left him a tough 20-foot putt. "It actually worked out perfectly."

He parred the first eight holes of the back nine before rolling in a tough birdie putt at 18 that gave him the outright lead.

"I left myself a few good chances on the back nine, I just couldn't convert," said Stenson, who was pleased to keep a bogey off his card with a two-putt par at the par-three 16th. "Then the nice birdie on the last."

Fowler carded a 67, saving birdie at the last to stay within one stroke of Stenson despite finding only four of 14 fairways.

O'Hair carded a 67 and Jones a 68 for 202. They were one stroke in front of Scotland's Russell Knox, who posted a 68 for 203.

Charley Hoffman, who started the day with a three-shot lead after a second-round 63, fell six adrift after a five-over 76.

Leading third-round scores on Sunday in the $8.25 million US PGA Tour Deutsche Bank Championship (Par 71, USA unless noted):

200 - Henrik Stenson (SWE) 67-68-65

201 - Rickie Fowler 67-67-67

202 - Sean O'Hair 68-67-67, Matt Jones (AUS) 67-67-68-68

203 - Russell Knox (SCO) 70-65-68

205 - Jerry Kelly 71-66-68, Daniel Berger 68-69-68, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 71-65-69, Danny Lee (NZL) 70-66-69, Kevin Chappell 67-67-71

206 - Hunter Mahan 69-73-64, Matt Kuchar 69-72-65, Patrick Reed 72-67-67, Hudson Swafford 69-69-68, Jim Furyk 71-65-70, Charley Hoffman 67-63-76, Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 65-68-73

207 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 73-67-67, Gary Woodland 68-70-69

208 - Kevin Kisner 71-71-66, Dustin Johnson 70-70-68, Bae Sang-Moon (KOR) 69-70-69, Ian Poulter (ENG) 67-72-69, Zach Johnson 69-65-74

209 - Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 69-74-66, William McGirt 73-70-66, Troy Merritt 74-67-68, Harris English 67-74-68, Daniel Summerhays 71-68-70, Brendan Steele 70-67-72, Jason Day (AUS) 68-68-73

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE