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SUN CITY, South Africa -- Henrik Stenson shook off an illness to record five birdies in his first nine holes en route to a first-round 66 and a share of the first-round lead at the Nedbank Challenge on Thursday. Stenson, who was suffering from the flu, was less prolific over the final nine holes and finished in a tie at 6 under with South African Jaco van Zyl, who birdied three of the last five holes. "I've been in bed with the flu for three days, and, after I had to pull out of the pro-am on Tuesday, I probably had a 5 percent chance of playing," said Stenson, who won the event in 2008. "I felt quite a bit better this morning, and the doctor didn't see any reason why I couldn't play." Stenson also is scheduled to undergo a minor knee operation next week. England's Danny Willett ended the day in third after shooting 67, while South African Branden Grace and Australia's Marc Leishman were another stroke back in fourth. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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