DUBAI // It is a marker of Henrik Stenson’s popularity that he can hit a spectator with an errant shot, draw blood, and still come out of it smelling of roses.
The Race to Dubai leader wayward tee-shot to the par-3 13th struck a woman beside the green. Despite the painful blow, she was happy to report the world No 4 was still her favourite golfer.
Stenson, who finished three-under after carding 69, was seeking her details, so he could send flowers by way of an apology.
“I didn’t expect her to say that after being hit,” Stenson said. “It was very unfortunate circumstances. I flared my 5-iron right and I’m standing there thinking, is it going in the bunker or flying over the bunker.
“Next thing, I see it go into the crowd and hit someone. Unfortunately, I hit the lady and she went down. You get shocked when you get hit like that and it’s painful.”
More from Paul Radley in Dubai:
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Quotes from Day 2: Sergio Garcia feels good about title chances
Race to Dubai: Here's how the top four fared on Day 2
Round 3 tee times: Francesco Molinari and Sergio Garcia paired
It was an eventful day for the Swede, who had earlier had his ball absent-mindedly lifted at the second hole.
“I don’t know why anyone that enters a golf tournament is picking up a golf ball insides the ropes,” he said. “That seems a bit weird to me. But it happens, unfortunately. I had to call for a ruling and then we estimate where it was supposed to be and dropped it there and on we go.”
Danny Willett, Stenson’s closest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, finished the day tied for 17th, on the same score as his rival.
He knows he can make the money-list maths simple by winning this tournament. Despite a six-shot deficit, he still felt he has a chance of victory.
“Over the course of the weekend, it’s not a million miles away,” Willett said.
pradley@thenational.ae
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