BERNIE McGUIRE in Abu Dhabi

HENRIK STENSON displayed his almost certain Ryder Cup selection class with a blistering course record 62 on the third day of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Championship. The Swede recorded two eagles, seven birdies and just one bogey to earn a one-stroke lead over visiting American Chris DiMarco.

DiMarco is in his first regular European Tour event and, after a first hole double bogey, the World Number 11 turned on the fireworks mid-round when he recorded an eagle and six birdies in seven holes from his eighth hole.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez is next best on 14-under par, with Colin Montgomerie on 11 under par after birdieing his opening two holes and then the closing pair in a seven under par 65 to better the existing record by one only to see Stenson smash it 63 minutes later.

"I just signed for a new course record that will last about five minutes because every time I went to a new tee, someone seemed to be making a birdie, but at least I had the new record for a while," said Montgomerie.

"All I can do now is go out and play my game because I can't compete playing their game."

Stenson revealed he had to battle his way through the pain barrier for his lowest ever round on Tour after suffering a back strain while practising last week in Dubai and then picking up a bout of food poisoning on Friday.

"It's been a struggle the last few days and I was really feeling tired coming up the last couple of holes on Friday, and to shoot this score today, maybe I should keep the bug," he said.

Dubai-based Stenson commenced his round with five straight birdies to be out in 31 before eagling the 10th, birdieing the 13th and eagling the last.

With two victories in the five full years he's been on Tour, he is currently lying sixth among the top-10 automatic Ryder Cup qualifiers courtesy of a superb second half to 2005 when he finished joint runner-up in the German Masters and then was placed third in his next two tournaments - the Dunhill Links Championship and the AMEX Championship in San Francisco.

While Monty would dearly love to sample a second success on the 2006 International schedule, he predicted that Stenson will line up next September in Ian Woosnam's European side.

"I played against Henrik in last year's Seve Trophy and I was most impressed. I can't believe he hits the ball over 300 yards every time, while he's the fourth straightest hitter on our tour," said Monty.

"That's why I expect Henrik to be going to the K Club, because he's our young guy who's come through and I believe he's ready for the Ryder Cup."

Damien McGrane commenced the round well placed and just four strokes from the lead, but a 71 has seen him drop to a share of 13th place on six under par and 10 shots back.

"I managed to birdie three of the inward nine holes including one there at 18 but I looked at the scoreboard and there are guys flying past me," he said. "The encouraging thing is that I have only had three bogeys all week but my day will come. Once I get myself into position it's just a matter of hitting the ground and I will be off and running, just like Stenson went flying up the leader board today."