Stenson holds firm to win title

Published September 27, 2004

WOBURN, Sept 26: Sweden's Henrik Stenson ended a three-year barren spell with a four-stroke victory in The Heritage on Sunday to take his second European Tour title.

Stenson fired a closing 66 to finish at 19 under par, four clear of Spain's Carlos Rodiles, and claim the $400,000 first prize. The tournament to commemorate the retirement of the European tour's executive director Ken Schofield after 30 years' service always looked likely to produce a Swedish winner, with Stenson leading compatriot Patrik Sjoland by a stroke overnight.

Rodiles, though, came from five strokes off the lead to threaten Stenson before the winner's four birdies over the last five holes ended the Spanish challenge.

LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES:

269 - Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 69, 67, 67, 66.

273 - Carlos Rodiles (Spain) 70, 71, 67, 65.

275 - Patrik Sjoland (Sweden) 68, 68, 68, 71.

276 - Anders Hansen (Denmark) 72, 68, 71, 65.

277 - Stephen Dodd 76, 68, 67, 66; Barry Lane 71, 67, 72, 67; Phillip Price 68, 67, 72, 70; Simon Wakefield 70, 68, 67, 72.

278 - Alastair Forsyth 73, 68, 66, 71; Mikko Ilonen (Finland) 70, 71, 65, 72; Gary Murphy (Ireland) 71, 73, 70, 64; Nick O'Hern (Australia) 67, 72, 71, 68; Ian Woosnam 71, 69, 68, 70.

SINGH IN FRONT

FARMINGTON: World number one Vijay Singh stayed two shots clear of the field after struggling to a level-par 72 in the third round of the Pennsylvania Classic on Saturday.

Singh finished on 12-under-par 204, two shots better than Chris DiMarco, who carded a one-under 71. Jonathan Byrd and Matt Gogel shared third place another stroke back.

LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES:

204 - Vijay Singh (Fiji) 64, 68, 72.

206 - Chris DiMarco 70, 65, 71.

207 - Jonathan Byrd 68, 72, 67; Matt Gogel 71, 68, 68.

208 - Zach Johnson 69, 69, 70; Kent Jones 69, 68, 71.

209 - Stewart Cink 71, 71, 67; Bob Burns 73, 68, 68; Pat Perez 67, 73, 69; Robert Gamez 69, 70, 70; Duffy Waldorf 70, 69, 70; Len Mattiace 70, 68, 71; Joey Sindelar 68, 69, 72. -Reuters