Sizzling Stenson seizes early lead at Tour Championship

Henrik Stenson looked like he couldn't miss Thursday in the Tour Championship.

Tiger Woods didn't make a thing.

Stenson ran off five birdies over a six-hole stretch on the front nine at East Lake. His last birdie, a 5-iron from 223 yards to four feet on the par-3 18th hole, gave him a 6-under 64 and a one-shot lead over Masters champion Adam Scott. Scott made six birdies in seven holes for a 29 on the back nine.

"First seven holes is probably as good a proximity to the hotel as I've ever had," said Stenson. "Seven iron shots and made five birdies out of that."

There were birdies galore on a warm, relatively calm afternoon at East Lake - except for Woods.

Woods missed a short birdie putt on his opening hole that set the tone for the day. He was the only player in the 30-man field to go without a birdie.

It was only the seventh time in his PGA Tour career - and third time at East Lake - that he went an entire round without a birdie. Woods shot a 73, matching his highest opening round of the year on the PGA Tour. He walked past reporters without comment.

Stenson, the No. 2 seed and the hottest player in golf over the last three months, and Scott (No. 3) only have to win the Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup and the $10 million prize.

Steve Stricker rallied late with three straight birdies for a 66 and is tied with Billy Horschel.

Stenson began his big run with four straight tournaments in the top 3 - including two majors and a World Golf Championship - and then won the Deutsche Bank Championship. But he was coming off a mediocre performance in the BMW Championship last week that left him so angry he smashed and broke his driver on the final hole, then smashed up a locker at Conway Farms.

Plus, he was coping with a sore wrist from last weekend that hurt so much he only played nine holes this week in practice.

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., the lone Canadian to qualify for the field of 30, shot a 2-under 33 on the front side and then had an up-and-down back side with three birdies and three bogeys for even-par 35 to give him 2-under 68 for the round and a tie for sixth with such notables as U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel. Six others also had 68. DaLaet has also qualified for the International team in the Presidents Cup scheduled for Oct. 1-6 in Dublin, Ohio.