Stenson wins Deutsche Bank Championship
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 03, 2013, 15:35
Stenson, enjoying a rich run of form, moves above Tiger Woods into top spot in the FedExCup standings after the second of the PGA Tour`s four lucrative playoff events.
The Swede`s victory was his first on the US circuit since the 2009 Players Championship but follows a second place finish at the British Open and third spot at the PGA Championships.
"It`s been a great week, ball-striking wise, and the putter was working nicely for me here on the weekend," said a delighted Stenson.
"It`s nice to come through and win a big event after all the good finishes and getting close to winning like I`ve been the last couple of months. It`s great to get one my belt.
"I got off to a bad start (bogeying the second hole)... but I came back with three straight birdies on four, five and six to put me back into the ball-game. I made some nice putts today and just kept it going. I have been playing nicely for a long time."
Veteran American Steve Stricker finished second, two shots behind Stenson, after firing a four-under 67 to secure himself an automatic place on the United States Presidents Cup team.
Canadian Graham DeLaet shot a solid 69 to finish alone in third, four adrift of Stenson, to follow up on his second place at The Barclays last week.
DeLaet sealed his place on the International team for the Presidents Cup, becoming only the second Canadian to achieve the honour, and rose to fifth in the FedExCup standings.
Garcia Falls Back
Overnight leader Sergio Garcia fell back into a tie for fourth at the TPC Boston after closing with a disappointing 73, ending up five strokes behind Stenson.
"I just wasn`t comfortable. I wasn`t able to trust myself as I did the first few days," said the Spaniard.
"It was hard, but I tried as hard as I could the last four holes and I felt like I played quite well.
"But overall, I think it`s been a good week. Very, very positive things from the first three rounds."
World number one Woods wound up joint 65th after shooting a two-over 73, despite low-scoring conditions on a rain-softened course.
Stenson made a stumbling start with a bogey on his second hole, the par-five second, but fired himself into the lead with a run of four birdies between the fourth and eight holes.
Stricker applied some pressure at the close, a birdie at the 17th reducing the Swede`s advantage to two strokes, but on the same hole Stenson responded by splashing out from a bunker, the first time he had been in sand all week, for birdie.
American rookie sensation Jordan Spieth equalled the best round of the week with a superb 62, finishing with three birdies and an eagle on the 18th.
Spieth tied for fourth at 17-under, level with Spaniard Garcia and Americans Matt Kuchar (66) and Kevin Stadler (68).
Britain`s Brian Davis capped a good week with a 67 to finish at 16-under, a stroke better than compatriot Ian Poulter who had been well set for a higher finish before he got into bunker trouble at the last where he double-bogeyed to end up with a 69.
World number three Phil Mickelson, who began the week in magnificent form, bogeyed four holes on the front nine and double-bogeyed the 16th after finding water but ended with two birdies for an even-par 71 that left him in a tie for 41st.
Reuters --------------------- ZEENEWS.com
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