Nov 11, 2016: Henrik Stenson took another small step toward being crowned 2016 Race to Dubai champion after the Swede opened his account at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player with a three under par 69 to sit within a shot of the lead.
Felipe Aguilar of Chile, Englishman Ross Fisher and Korea’s Jeunghun Wang all shared the lead on four under par after day one at the sun-kissed Gary Player Country Club.
But, with the battle to be crowned European Tour Number One moving towards its climax, all eyes were on Stenson as the Race to Dubai leader rallied with three birdies in his final four holes to move into early contention in South Africa.
The reigning Open Champion can win the Race to Dubai for the second time in his career with a victory here, as long as Danny Willett finishes outside the top two. The Englishman signed for a three over par first round 75 to end the day in share of 47th position.
Joining Stenson in a share of fourth were Ryder Cup team-mate Chris Wood – who almost didn’t make it to the first tee after a recurrence of a neck injury – compatriot Alex Noren, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, Richie Ramsay of Scotland and the two leading South Africans George Coetzee and Jaco Van Zyl.
European Tour Release
