McDowell shines at Andalucía Masters
The Ryder Cup hero, Graeme McDowell, snatched halfway lead in the Andalucía Masters that took place in Sotogrande, Spain on Friday. This famous US Open Champion posted a 4-under 67 and had a two shot lead over fellow Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin who finished
the second round with a 68. Over all, Graeme stands at 7-under par 135 in the European Tour Event at Valderrama Golf Club.
McDowell said that he didn’t do so well in the front nine and it was somewhat of a lousy performance. Good judgement by McDowell gave since he dropped shots on the fifth and the ninth. The back nine, however, he gave six birdies and positioned the ball
well. According to the Irishman, a par at Valderrama is a job well done and is something he will hope to keep doing for the days to come.
Where the Andalucía Masters brought praise for one player, it led to utter disappointment for another. Martin Kaymer, who was very close to being world number one performed poorly during the first and second round. Scoring a 74 and being eleven shots off
the lead, Kaymer really narrowed his chances of replacing Tiger Woods or winning the event.
Opening the first round with a one-over, the next day Martin posted two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. Following his average performance, his putting took a downfall on the home stretch. The way Kaymer was doing, a lot was expected from him.
His recent victory includes Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
Kaymer dropped shots at the 14th, 16th, and 18th hole and he barely made the cut for the third round. Now that is nearly impossible for Martin to finish in the second place, it will probably be Lee Westwood who will end
Wood’s 281 week long reign as golf’s top cat. Due to a leg injury, Westwood couldn’t compete and despite of his absence, he will most likely be crowned world number one golfer tomorrow.
"Martin has not had his best two days, but he is a world class player. I will have to control my own game, and I'm going to do my best; that's all I have to do. At Valderrama you've got to stay patient and focused,” said McDowell about his Ryder Cup teammate.
Even though he let down his fans in Spain, Kaymer is still a strong contender to the Race to Dubai in the European Tour money list.
First round leader, Pablo Larrazabal, didn’t do so well and finished the second round in the 19th position after a 77. The Swede Niclas Fasth improved from an opening 73 to a 66 in a second round. He was happy and also surprised from his game.
He said that overall his performance wasn’t so great but his short game and putting were amazing. According to Fasth, one needs to have a good short game along with an acceptable form on this course. He said that this season has been a tough one for him but
it’s getting better at the end as he has found some spark and energy.
The Indian trio of Jeev Milkha Singh, SSP Chowrasia and Shiv Kapur managed to make the cut even though they broke par in the second round. Jeev finished the second round with an even-par 71 with a total of one-under 141. Chowrasia posted a two over 73 and
Kapur ended the first with a seven over 78.
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