Stenson Still on Top at Tour Championship


Henrik Stenson maintained his four-stroke edge through three rounds of the season-ending Tour Championship. The 37-year-old Swede posted a 1-under 69 Saturday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta to reach 11-under 199 in the PGA Tour's season finale.

Once again showing mastery of East Lake's front nine, Stenson carded four birdies on the outward half to forge a nine-stroke lead. In 54 holes he's had 13 birdies with nary a dropped shot on that side. But Stenson came back to the field on the home half with four bogeys and a lone birdie.

Nevertheless, he's up by four over Dustin Johnson - who shot a 67 - with one round to go. Six shots behind Stenson is Steve Stricker (68), while seven back are BMW champion Zach Johnson (69), Justin Rose (70), Billy Horschel (70) and Jordan Spieth (71).

Stenson, who won the Deutsche Bank Championship three weeks ago, entered the Tour Championship ranked second to five-time winner Tiger Woods in the FedEx Cup standings. In addition to the $1.44 million that goes to the Tour Championship winner, the overall FedEx Cup points' leader after Sunday's final round will take home $10 million.

The third round was started early Saturday morning because of the threat of bad weather, and play was completed successfully. Conditions are expected to be better for Sunday, with cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 70s.

Tied for eighth at 207 are Luke Donald (67) and Nick Watney (70), while sharing 10th at 2-under 208 are Webb Simpson (69), Sergio Garcia (69), Bill Haas (69), Phil Mickelson (70), Gary Woodland (71) and Adam Scott. Scott, who began Saturday trailing Stenson by four strokes, shot 74.

Another stroke back in 16th are D.A. Points (70) and Keegan Bradley (72), with Jason Dufner - who carded Saturday's low round of 66 - tied for 18th at 210 with Jason Day (68), Hunter Mahan (71) and Roberto Castro (72).

Defending FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker (67) shares 22nd at 211 with Graham DeLaet (72) and Jim Furyk (73). Another shot back is Matt Kuchar (69).

Woods finally posted an under-par round - a 69 - to move into a tie for 26th with Brendon de Jonge (71) at 3-over 213. Rounding out the 30-player field are Kevin Streelman (74, 215), Boo Weekley (73, 218) and Charl Schwartzel (77, 224).

After posting rounds of 73 and 71, Woods, a two-time FedEx Cup winner, has not been pleased with his play this week. "I didn't hit it very good today," he said Saturday. "I hit everything to the right or flipped it left, but I putted better. As I said (Friday), that was the difference. I hit the best the first day and made nothing and putted better the last two days.

"I kept hitting everything to the right. It wasn't that far off, but it just kept spinning over to the right. At least I was able to putt well today. It was nice. I made some nice putts."

He's hoping for better on Sunday. "The goal is to go out and shoot a low round tomorrow and see where the chips fall," he said.

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