HENRIK Stenson felt no need to hide the fact that he expected to be nervous defending a three-stroke lead in the Benson and Hedges International Open at The Belfry today.

Rounds of 66 and 68 so far have pushed the 25-year-old Swede into the limelight and a head-to-head with Thomas Bjorn, the Dane who is desperate to get back into Europe's team.

Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance is four behind Stenson, as is both Desvonde Botes and Dubliner Paul McGinley.

Padraig Harrington is in the group six behind along with Ian Woosnam.

Worcestershire's John Bickerton (76-73-149) and David Park of Hereford (75-72-147) both failed to make the second round cut.