Graeme McDowell takes two-shot lead into weekend in Spain
Graeme McDowell has had a wonderful season so far. And if he can maintain his current position, it will get even better.
The Northern Irishman, who won his first career major this year at the U.S. Open, sits atop the leaderboard at seven-under-par at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters going into the weekend.
His four-under 67 on Friday 29 October at the Valderrama golf club in Sotogrande, Spain, gives him a two-shot lead over fellow Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin. Niclas Fasth of Sweden sits
a further two strokes behind at the European Tour event.
McDowell, who clinched the Ryder Cup contested earlier this month in Wales with his singles victory, currently occupies the second spot in the Race to Dubai standings behind Martin Kaymer
of Germany, who is at four-over-par for the tournament. Winning this week would give him 500,000 euros which would cut into Kaymer’s significant lead of 900,000 euros.
Unlike the first round, McDowell was unable to keep a bogey off his card, making two on the day. But he offset the two blunders with six birdies, four of which came on the back nine.
“I didn’t play that well on the front nine, it was rather scrappy, but the back nine was good,” said McDowell. “I gave myself birdie chances and positioned the ball well.”
McDowell said on a course as difficult as Valderrama, patience is key.
“Level par is a good job at Valderrama,” he said of the course that hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup. “I will just keep doing what I'm doing for the next couple of days. At Valderrama you’ve
got to stay patient and focused.”
As for catching up to Kaymer on the money list, McDowell said all he can do is control his own game.
“Martin has not had his best two days, but he is a world class player,” said McDowell. “I will have to control my own game, and I'm going to do my best; that's all I have to do.”
Maybin, trying to win for the first time on the European Tour, climbed into contention with a solid 68, making four birdies and one bogey on the day.
“Overall I’m really happy,” he said. “Patience has been my game plan for the last couple of days, and will be for the next two.”
Fasth, winless on tour since his 2007 victory at the BMW International Open, shot a bogey-free round of 66 Friday, surging into contention.
“It is a lovely score,” said Fasth. “I am very pleased and somewhat surprised because my game is not so solid, but my putting and my short game were sensational. On this course you need
to have a good short game even if you are in great form.”
Miguel Angel Jimenez and Gary Boyd are in a tie for fourth place, entering the weekend five shots back of McDowell. Darren Clarke sits at even-par for the event with Sergio Garcia one
shot worse. First-round leader Pablo Larrazabal followed up his 66 with a disappointing 77 and sits eight shots back.
Kaymer, who would pass Tiger Woods as the number-one player in the world with a win or a tie for second place this week, sits 11 shots back of the lead. Barring a miraculous comeback from
the German, it will be Englishman Lee Westwood, not in the field, supplanting Woods at the top after this week.
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