The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 05 December 2008 / 1 Comments

Rain has washed away the South African sun at the Nedbank Challenge, but it doesn't matter, says Steven Rawlings, Henrik Stenson looks to have things wrapped up there. Unless KJ Choi gets a roll on of course...

Henrik Stenson turned the Nedbank Challenge into a procession yesterday with an absolutely brilliant first round. His nine under par 63 was a new course record following alterations made to the course three years ago.

Remarkably, he was one of only three players under par; Rory Sabbatini ended the day five back after he shot a very good round of four under with Lee Westwood a further two back. Both my picks had level par rounds and needed binoculars to see the flying Swede.

By the end of day one, Stenson had traded as low as [1.67] and I too had joined the band of layers when he looked to be in a spot of bother after his tee shot on the 17th. It looked like he'd either driven into the water or at the very least found heavy rough and I layed him at an average of [1.92].

To my dismay he was not only dry but had gotten himself a very friendly drop away from a sprinkler-head. He then stepped up and smacked his second shot to within about 15 feet of the pin and [1.92] was never to be seen again.

He traded at around [1.8] overnight and posed a fascinating question. I couldn't decide whether Stenson was home and hosed already or worth getting stuck into again, given there was so long to go. In the end I just left things as they were, leaning slightly towards the latter but not entirely convincing myself.

A bogey at the 1st this morning gave all us layers a ray of hope, but not for long. He was soon back on track and when they abandoned play for the day he had stretched his lead to six over Sabbatini. Stenson's policy of not using his driver is paying huge dividends and he looks a fair enough price at around [1.5]. I'm now leaning slightly towards home and hosed but he will have to play 26 holes tomorrow in what could be stifling heat.

The good news, if there is any, is that one of my initial picks, KJ Choi seems to have found his putting boots and just before the siren sounded he made his fourth birdie in five holes to get to -5, but that's still seven off the lead. He's a tenacious battler though and I'd love to see him keep going as he could really put the wind up Stenson if he gets to within a couple of shots.

In the Australian PGA my sole pick Pampling has had a fair start. On -7, he sits two behind joint-leaders Jarrod Lyle and Mathew Goggin and one in front of dangerous stalker and pre-event favourite, Geoff Ogilvy.

Lyle, fresh from regaining his US PGA Tour card after two wins on the Nationwide Tour missed the cut last week and slipped under my radar. He's a player I've often kept an eye on after I'd read how he overcame acute myeloid leukaemia in his late teens.

He put his improvement yesterday down to a bit of an argument with his dad, who used to caddy for him. Lyle senior felt his son needed to be more aggressive and he certainly was, from three over through nine holes of his first round to nine under through 36 holes is quite a turnaround.

As much as it's nice to see Lyle back in the limelight and as solid a player Tasmanian Goggin is, for now I'm letting things roll. Hopefully the in-form Pampling can put the squeeze on the youngsters.

In Japan Jeev Milkha Singh leads the field after two rounds so no further bets there for now either and fingers crossed.

Comments (1)

1. steve | 05 December 2008

   not a mention of Wilson or Sheehan.....my picks at 50/1 and 45/1 respectively.....and both well in contention in Aus P.G.A.........also watch my pick Sabbatini in Sun City.......very steady

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