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Henrik Stenson takes narrow advantage

Henrik Stenson shot a 5-under 68 Thursday for a one-stroke lead over defending champion Jim Furyk at the Nedbank Challenge.

David Howell and Padraig Harrington tied for third at 3 under.

Stenson led despite the flu, and using new clubs, balls and a new caddie, Fanny Sunneson. He had back-to-back birdies at No. 9 and No. 10 at the Gary Player Country Club, then again at the 14th and 15th. He also birdied the second hole.

"It will be tough, but if I can keep playing this way, there is no reason I shouldn't win," Stenson said.

Harrington started with five birdies on the front nine -- the second, fourth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes -- but he bogeyed the 14th and 15th.

"I thought I was invincible for a while out there," Harrington said. "But I gave myself lots of chances, and that's the way to be in contention on this course."

Ernie Els (72) was at 4 under heading to the par-3 16th, but he double-bogeyed the short hole and followed up with two bogeys on the last two.

Chris DiMarco (74) and Colin Montgomerie (75) both shot 40 on the back nine to finish over par.

Retief Goosen (70), Charl Schwartzel (70), Jose-Maria Olazabal (71), Trevor Immelman (71) and Sergio Garcia (72) round out the 12-man field.

67 Henrik Stenson (Swe)

68 Jim Furyk (USA)

69 David Howell, Padraig Harrington

70 Retief Goosen (Rsa), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa)

71 Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spa), Trevor Immelman (Rsa)

72 Sergio Garcia (Spa), Ernie Els (Rsa)

74 Chris DiMarco (USA)

75 Colin Montgomerie