Stenson stars in Miami

European golf’s man of the moment Henrik Stenson was in superb form yet again when the CA World Championship began in wet and windy Miami today.

The 30-year-old Swede, winner last month of both the Dubai Desert Classic and Accenture World Match Play titles, shared the lead with Australian Robert Allenby after a five-under-par 67.

Rising star Stenson, who had never played in America until two years ago, had seven birdies and two bogeys on his first competitive round at Doral’s Blue Monster course.

“I think it could be a week where you really need to dig deep again and just be patient,” said the world number five going into the event.

With the Masters only two weeks away he is riding the crest of a wave at present and defending champion Tiger Woods, playing in the group behind, was among those left trailing in his wake.

Twice a winner on the course, Woods forgot his horror finish to last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational – a closing triple bogey and six dropped shots in the last three holes – to top the leaderboard himself after two opening birdies.

But he had to settle for a one-under 71 and was quickly off to the practice putting green to work on things.

Allenby, partnering Woods, has already had five top 10 finishes in the States this season and commented: “I could be disappointed I haven’t won yet, but I know this year is going to be great.

“I’m getting better each week. My whole game feels great and I like the way I am thinking too.”

Dane Thomas Bjorn was one behind, while Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal shared fourth spot with Australian Aaron Baddeley and American Charles Howell.

Stenson teed off on the back nine and putts of 10 and 18 feet at the 14th and 15th took him to the turn in two under.

He also birdied the long first and then hit back from a bogey at the third with three more birdies in the next five holes.

“The swing was not 100%, but my short game and putting were on and I managed to take the chances when I got them,” he said.

World number three Phil Mickelson was really struggling at six over with three to play, while number four Adam Scott dumped three balls in the lake on the 10th for a quintuple bogey 10 en route to a 76.

Paul Casey could only match that, Colin Montgomerie was on the same mark with two to go and England’s Anthony Wall slumped to next-to-last place with an 80.

Playing with Mickelson, Padraig Harrington stood one under and joint 11th not only with Woods, but also Sergio Garcia.

Last man out Paul Broadhurst, who sank a bunker shot for an eagle at the first, was level par after 14, Ian Poulter came in with a 73, Luke Donald a 74 and David Howell, struggling this year, was three over after 17.