Patient Henrik Stenson in control at Sun City

Henrik Stenson produced a storming finish to claim the lead at the halfway stage of the Nedbank Golf Challenge as Danny Willett’s title defence was hampered by a back injury.

Shortly after play resumed following a two-hour delay due to a thunderstorm, Stenson trailed playing partner and local favourite Jaco van Zyl by three shots with seven holes to play.

However, the world number seven, who rated his chances of simply playing in the event at 5% after spending three days in bed with the flu, rolled in a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th and picked up another shot on the 17th to add a 67 to his opening 66.