Stenson turns on style to take Heritage

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson spectacularly birdied four of the last five holes to win The Heritage at Woburn by four shots today.

Stenson, without a victory since the 2001 Benson and Hedges International and 176th on the European Order of Merit two years ago, had seen his lead cut to one when Spaniard Carlos Rodiles reeled off six birdies on the inward half.

But far from unsettling the 28-year-old from Gothenburg, it sparked him into a dream run of four successive birdies starting at the 14th.

He finished with a 66 and a 19-under-par total of 269. It left runner-up Rodiles, beaten in a play-off by Fredrik Jacobson at the Volvo Masters last November, still seeking his first tour title.

Ian Woosnam was joint second with four to play but bogeyed the 15th and double-bogeyed the 17th to drop into a tie for ninth. Third was another Swede, Patrik Sjoland.

Graeme McDowell's challenge petered out early and the Irishman ended up in 14th place after a disappointing 72.

There was better news for Kilkenny's Gary Murphy, however, as he shot a brilliant 64 to tie for ninth place on 10 under par.

Padraig Harrington finished tied for 37th place on four under while Peter Lawrie was tied for 45th on two under par.