Stenson happy to mix it with young guns

Henrik Stenson has admitted he was pleased to top the Tour Championship leaderboard after besting some big names in the first round.

The Swedish star carded a seven-under 63 to secure a two-shot lead from Englishman Paul Casey after the first round in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday.

Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is just a shot further back from Casey, and was one of the big names talked up before the tournament, along with the likes of Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler.

At 39, Stenson was pleased with how he started in Atlanta to show all those stars in their twenties, he still has the game to compete this week.

He said: “It feels good to be part of that wave.

“When you reach my age and you hit however many millions of golf balls I’ve done over the years, the body definitely feels it.

“It gives satisfaction when you’re on top of the leaderboard in any tournament. It’s been a lot of Jason and Jordan and Rickie and Rory, so of course it’s good to get a good start.”