Graeme McDowell fires nine-under par in the second round of Arnold Palmer Invitational - Golf News
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell fired the best round of his career at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, to tie for the third position on the Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard on Friday, March 23, 2012.
McDowell carded a total of seven birdies and a spectacular eagle on the par-five 16th hole to finish one-stroke behind the leaders, Tiger Woods and Charlie Wi.
He was among the group that finished the second round early in the day. Therefore, he had the clubhouse lead shared with Jason Dufner while Woods had his 12 holes left for the day.
Therefore, Woods charged later and managed to record a seven-under par 65, which was enough to help him surpass him on the leaderboard to take the halfway lead.
Yet, McDowell’s score was enough to challenge the leaders in the final two rounds of the PGA Tour event.
The last time he won an event was the 2010 Chevron World Challenge when he defeated Woods in the playoffs.
Therefore, the history seems to repeat itself as both the players are again in contention for the top position in the event underway.
His nine-under par 63 was just one-stroke away from the course record. However, it was special because of the fact that McDowell carded his worst round of the career at the same venue last year, when he scored an eight-under par 80.
"My record has not been very good here the last few years but still I had the belief I could come and compete here if I got it all together," he said.
"It is going to be a quality leaderboard and it's nice to be in the mix heading into the weekend," added the Northern Irishman.
Meanwhile, Justin Rose, who won the Cadillac Championship this month, carded another 69 in the tournament to finish four strokes off the leaders.
The two consecutive bogeys to end his front nine restricted his overall performance on the course.
"I had it going really nicely on the front nine got it to seven-under par and then threw two bogeys which killed the momentum. From that point on it was a struggle for the rest of the day," he said.
Rose is currently ranked fifth on the leaderboard and is confident to repeat his performance, which he displayed at Doral to earn his first World Golf Championship victory.
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