Super Swede Stenson makes his move to lead after a dominant 2nd round at the DP World Tour Championship

Super Swede Henrik Stenson continued his inexorable quest to win The Race to Dubai after a magnificent second round 64 (-8) took him to twelve under par and into a one shot lead at the halfway stage of the US$8 million DP World Tour Championship.

World Number Three Stenson, a former Dubai resident and Race to Dubai leader, once again seemed totally at home on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates rattling in eight birdies to edge ahead of overnight leader Alejandro Canizares of Spain who carded a 67.

Frenchman Victor Dubuisson (66) and Australia’s Marcus Fraser (69) lie tied in third place on eight under par, but, more importantly Stenson goes into day three with a five shot lead over his nearest challengers for The Race to Dubai crown with England’s Justin Rose and Ian Poulter on seven under par alongside Swede Jonas Blixt and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

 “It’s been a long season but I am not giving in to tiredness now,” said 37 year-old Stenson, who admitted he is keeping his energy levels high with a mixture of family time and plenty of sleep. “I’m hoping I can deliver two more good days – it’s all about putting yourself in the frame and after two rounds I am in with a chance again.

“The two days rest I had before the tournament have helped and after each round I just head back to the hotel. Plenty of chilling out and quality time with my family before a good night’s sleep – that’s important to me this week.”

Despite the five-shot advantage over his main rivals, Stenson is well aware of the quality of his nearest challengers for the title of European Number One.
“I normally keep track of what the others are doing so I am always aware of what is going on,” he added. “But I know they are chasing hard and they won’t give this up without a fight.”

Canizares had seemed on course to share the lead with Stenson but after finding the water on the 18th, he was happy to walk away with a par five and maintain a bogey-free round. “I gave myself a chance and I really wanted to make that putt on the last as I hadn’t dropped a shot all day and I didn’t feel like I should have either,” said the Spanish World Number 184 who will play today’s third round alongside the leader.

Currently second in The Race to Dubai, Justin Rose’s 67 (-5) has put him five shots behind Stenson as he chases his second order of merit title. ”I made a good move today and a strong finish has kept me in there. But this course seems tailormade for Henrik. He seems to be able to take advantage of all par fives and he’s playing really, really well. He’ll be tough to catch but I’ll give myself a chance.”

Also on seven under par for the tournament five shots off the lead, Ian Poulter is also full of admiration for the man at the top of the leaderboard.

“Of course I want to win and I want to put Henrik under some pressure and take him right down to the wire,” he said. “Henrik is obviously playing great golf and I just need to stay there or thereabouts.  As long as I’m in striking distance come Sunday, then we might see some fireworks.”

Graeme McDowell, currently third in The Race to Dubai, appears to have slipped out of contention after a second round 68 sees him sit tied in 21st place eight shots off the pace. “I’m going to have to play two great rounds from here to have a chance,” said the Irishman. “But I’m starting to see a way around this course and I’m happy enough with the way my game is. There are low scores to be had on this golf course, and I’ll need a couple of them this weekend.”
Defending champion Rory McIlroy moved into contention with a second round 67 and the World Number Six was pleased with a round watched by tennis star girlfriend Caroline Wozniaki and Manchester United’s England midfielder Michael Carrick.

“I enjoyed the support today and it was great to play in front of them,” said McIlroy who moved up to joint ninth on six under par. “Hopefully I can make a bit of noise at the weekend. I think somewhere around 20under will win, so it will take a couple of 65s or somewhere around that to have a chance. “

Play will resume again today (Saturday) at Jumeirah Golf Estates with the first players teeing off at 8am and the final pairing of Stenson and Canizares off at 12.40pm. Free tickets for the 2013 DP World Tour Championship are available by registering online at the official website www.DPWTC.com.