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McIlroy could have reclaimed the World Number 1 ranking from Tiger Woods with a victory this week. Bob Levey/AP/Press Association Images

Stenson claims clubhouse lead at storm-hit PGA event, McIlroy matches best round

The Northern Irish golfer birdied the last two holes.

SWEDEN’S HENRIK STENSON birdied four of the last five holes to seize the clubhouse lead when nearby thunderstorms halted play on Sunday in the final round of the $6.2 million PGA Houston Open.

Stenson, trying to crack the top 50 in the world rankings and qualify for the April 11 start of the Masters, fired a six-under par 66 to stand on 15-under 273 after 72 holes.

American D.A. Points, who birdied three of the first four holes on the back nine, was on the course at 16-under with four holes to finish while American Billy Horschel was with Stenson at 15-under with only the 18th hole remaining.

Dustin Johnson was in the clubhouse at 14-under 274, level with fellow American Jason Kokrak, who had only completed 15 holes when the horn sounded stopping play with only 12 players still on the course.

England’s Brian Davis fired a 67 to stand on 275.

In all, eight players had seized at least a share of the lead in a last-round shootout for the $1.08 million top prize.

“I played really well,” Johnson said. I played a lot better than that but I’m not complaining shooting 65 or Sunday. I left a few shots out there.”

Rory McIlroy, who could have reclaimed the World Number 1 ranking from Tiger Woods with a victory this week, matched his best round of the event with a two-under 70 to finish on 284.

He birdied the last two holes on both the front and back nines but consecutive bogeys at 11 and 12 set him back.

© AFP, 2013

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