Teenager Kinhult upstages Stenson at Scandinavian Masters

Teenage amateur Marcus Kinhult upstaged world number four Henrik Stenson as he took a share of the lead after the opening round of the Scandinavian Masters on Thursday.

The 18-year-old Swede Kinhult shot a five-under-par first round of 67 at the Sweden National in Malmo, including five birdies on the back nine, to take a share of the lead with compatriot Jens Dantorp and England's Chris Paisley.

Meanwhile, Stenson, looking for a first European Tour title on home soil, shot a solid two-under-par round of 70, a round that could have been much better but for bogeys at the 13th and the short 17th.

Kinhult, who represented Europe at the Junior Ryder Cup last year and is third in the world amateur rankings, put his score down to his short game, saying: "That score was thanks to brilliant putting.

"I played really well from tee to green but I also holed a lot of putts for birdie and for par. The putter was pretty hot.

"I didn't expect much, just to have a great week and gain some experience. So far, so good.

"There's not much difference between the amateur and professional ranks. The course set-up is very similar to what we're used to," he added.

"I don't feel any different playing here. I hope I can just keep making birdies and keep hitting fairways and greens."

Germany's Maximilian Kieffer and England's Lee Slattery were in a group of nine players one shot off the lead after shooting 68.
Source: AFP