SUN CITY, South Africa -- Taking advantage of Rory McIlroys absence, Henrik Stenson forged a late charge Thursday to put himself a shot off the lead after the opening round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge.Stenson can clinch the Race to Dubai title with a victory in South Africa, and three birdies in his last four holes on Day 1 put him in contention for that, and a second Nedbank title.Stenson opened with a 3-under 69, just one behind a three-way tie for the lead made up of Felipe Aguilar, Jeunghun Wang and Ross Fisher.Its the first year the Nedbank Challenge forms part of the European Tours three-tournament final series. The Nedbank follows last weekends Turkish Airlines Open, and the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai is to come next weekend.McIlroy, the Race to Dubai winner the past two seasons, skipped the Turkish Airlines Open and the Nedbank. McIlroy is third in the standings behind Stenson and Danny Willett.In South Africa, Stenson started with five straight pars and bogeyed No. 6. He picked up shots at Nos. 8 and 9, but really found his groove at Gary Player Country Club late in his opening round.While the British Open champion climbed up the leaderboard, Willett was in trouble after opening with a 3-over 75. The Masters champion had a triple-bogey eight on the second hole, made four other bogeys, and faces a long haul to get back in contention.At the top, Aguilar set the clubhouse lead with his 68, dropping just one shot and collecting five birdies. Wang and Fisher matched that later in the afternoon, while Stenson was one of seven players a shot behind the leaders.One of them is Alex Noren, who is the European Tours in-form golfer and is seeking a fourth title this season. Fernando Valenzuela Youth Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Jackie Robinson Dodgers Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Jackie-Robinson-dodgers-jersey/ . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Mike Piazza Dodgers Jersey . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Ross Stripling Jersey . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Emanuele Birarelli tested his tender right ankle for the first time and all felt fine. Then, he and his Italian teammates celebrated their latest impressive Olympic win by beating host Brazil on its home court.Italy welcomed back Birarelli after a one-game absence with an ankle injury, and the fourth-ranked Italians sent Brazil to a second straight defeat Saturday in a matchup of the two top teams in Pool A.Im happy to be back, my ankle held up well, the Italy captain said. It was hard to be out and get an injury early in the Olympics, but then we realized it wasnt that bad.Italy responded after dropping the first set to win 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15. The raucous Maracanazinho arena fell quiet for the second time in three nights after top-ranked Brazils four-set loss to the United States on Thursday.As thrilling as it is to beat Brazil on its home turf, the Italians have their sights much higher: the top of the medal stand in Rio de Janeiro.Playing against Brazil and winning in Brazil is always important and gives us great pride. We played a very hard match, Italy coach Gianllorenzo Blengini said.dddddddddddd But its only one game.The Italians are now in prime position heading into the final preliminary match Monday against Canada. Brazil wraps up pool action by facing France.Biarelli was sidelined for a sweep of Mexico on Thursday after spraining his right ankle against the United States two days earlier.Im very happy with this win against Brazil because we beat Brazil in Brazil, but this is only one, Birarelli said. There are big matches to come.Brazil coach Bernardo Rezende patted Birarelli on the back and offered a congratulatory handshake to Blengini afterward, knowing his young Brazilian squad now must beat France on Monday night to avoid elimination.Both teams are in the same situation, whoever wins stays and whoever loses will go home, Rezende said. Theres pressure, of course, playing in Brazil in front of our people. We have to transform that pressure into enthusiasm. We must just believe, stay calm and focus on the next match. ' ' '