Email
A one-time Henrik Stenson procession regressed into a commanding lead. For much of Saturday, the Tour Championship looked a closely fought contest without Stenson as part of the narrative. The Swede had produced the most impressive performance in the history of this FedEx playoff finale, reducing the other 29 players in the East Lake field to the role of also-rans, before a finish which at last offered a glimpse of fallibility. Suddenly, it was reasonable to ask if the most wounding slip of Stenson's erratic career could arrive in the outskirts of Atlanta.
By close of play, Stenson held a four-shot lead. Notably, though, he dropped two shots in his closing three holes. Only a terrific par save from 15ft on the 17th prevented Stenson from sliding further back towards the pack. Heavy rain checked Stenson's otherwise imperious form; thankfully for the tournament's organisers, adjusted and early third round tee times prevented any storm delays.
Bookmakers priced Stenson at 50-1 on as he cantered into a nine shot lead half way through his third round. Perhaps only the mind-boggling thought of what difference the $11.44m cheque for winning both the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup would make to his still holds danger for Stenson. Or, on this evidence, more inclement weather.
Background statistics illustrate just how dominant Stenson had been until his wobble over the closing stretch on Saturday. They also highlight the improbability of any player preventing Stenson from becoming the first European player to win the FedEx Cup and, with it, a massive pay out. Stenson has played East Lake's front nine in 30, 31 and 31 respectively over the first three days. A similar start on Sunday and there would be little point in Stenson even taking to the closing half.
Dustin Johnson has emerged as the strongest threat to the Swede. The big-hitting Johnson defied horrible conditions in returning a 67 that owed as much to finesse as typically powerful play from the tee. Unlike Stenson, Johnson heads into round four with nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain. It is also in his nature to be aggressive, which could unnerve his Swedish playing partner.
Sympathy is due towards Adam Scott, who had earliertried manfully to keep pace with Stenson. The Masters champion had to be was placed on an intravenous drip before taking to the course, as he suffered from a heavy fever. Scott understandably slumped to 74, within which he and is due immense credit for playing the back nine at all, let alone in under par.
Few could grudge Stenson his glory, should it arrive on Sunday evening. In two separate spells, the popular and wonderfully charismatic 37-year-old has endured on-course slumps which completely contradict his level of talent. It is nonsensical that Stenson should be placed outside the top 10 golfers in the world when, in reality, he sat 230th just two years ago.
Stenson was also a high-profile victim of the Stanford Financial Group collapse, which led the golfer to lose millions in investments and savings. If Stenson lifts the FedEx trophy aloft, he would be entitled a mental glance towards the disgraced Allen Stanford, who was sentenced to 110 years in prison last March.
Tiger Woods will not launch a legitimate challenge to Stenson despite a third round 69. The world No1 sits three over for the tournament in hinting once again that East Lake is a course which does not really fit his eye.
Woods offered subsequent hope to the tournament leader. "This is a great golf course to protect a lead on because there's really not that much danger," Woods said. "You can make a bunch of pars. It's one of those golf courses where it's so easy to shoot 68 to 72.
"It's not a surprise where Henrik is because of the way he has been playing, really from the British [sic] Open on. He has been playing consistently well so it's not surprising he's out in front. I played with him that first day here, where through five holes he never missed a shot. I think he has basically continued playing well."
Luke Donald, who is in the midst of changes to his swing, carded a 67 to move within the top 10. Justin Rose, however, could not quite deliver on his promise of the first two days and signed for 70 to remain four under.
