Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson one off the lead in Houston
Monday 4 April 2016 00:26, UK
Henrik Stenson bolstered his chances of ending his winless run on the PGA Tour by firing a round-of-the-day 66 to move in to contention at the Shell Houston Open.
The world No 7, without a PGA Tour victory since 2013 Tour Championship, mixed seven birdies with one bogey to ensure he heads in to the final round just one stroke adrift of third round pace-setters Jim Herman and Jamie Lovemark.
The Swede made a fast start in Texas by birdieing three of his opening four holes, only to card his only blemish of the day at the next after failing to save par from 12 feet.
A kick-in gain at the eighth saw Stenson reach the turn in 33, before the Ryder Cup star sandwiched long-range birdies at the 11th and 15th between another shot picked up at the long 13th in a bogey-free back nine.
Stenson closed his round by holing out from the fairway at the last to save par and join Dustin Johnson and Russell Henley on 10 under, with the Swede upbeat about his much-improved display.
"I hit some lovely shots out there in tough conditions and rolled a few in as well," Stenson told Sky Sports. "I found the lines better today.
"I played nicely tee to green for the first two days, but the putting wasn't working. I spent a bit of extra time yesterday afternoon on the putting green and that seemed to pay off today.
"I've been trying hard to do that [get a win]. I think I've put myself in good positions a few times without playing great.
"Confidence can always be higher, but this time I feel like my ball striking is there with me so we'll see what we can do tomorrow [Sunday]."
A bogey-free 67 from Herman put the American in a share of the lead alongside Lovemark, who had looked set to threaten Stenson's round when he carded three early birdies on his way to a two-under 70.
On a bunched leaderboard where the top 19 players are split by just five strokes, overnight leader Charley Hoffman slipped in a tie for seventh after a disappointing two-over 72.
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Rickie Fowler remains in contention on seven under, with world No 2 Jordan Spieth a further stroke back following a two-under 70.
Watch the final round of the Shell Houston Open live on Sunday from 6pm on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
