Graeme McDowell found the BMW Masters overtaking lane with a six under par 66 as he looks to end his season winning one of his next six events.
McDowell, who is looking for a first victory since capturing last year’s Andalucia Masters, had seven birdies in his round for a 54-hole tally of 10-under par on the Lake Malaren course.
The effort put the triple European Ryder Cup star inside the top-10 in the $7m inaugural European Tour event.
“I needed a low one today and even though the wind was coming from a slightly different direction, I drove the ball well, so very pleased with a 66,” he said.
“But then there’s now a ton of players in touch for tomorrow, a lot of quality names on the leader board, so I’m just happy to be back in the hunt again.
“I have given myself half a chance.
“So I would be happy to take my chances with another 66 tomorrow. It might not be enough but it would be a good weekend’s work, and today is one step in the right direction today and looking forward to tomorrow.”
McDowell will contest next week’s WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shenzhen and then the following week’s Barclays Singapore Open.
The current World No. 19 then heading ‘Down Under’ for a first time in a long while to contest the November 15th to 18th Australian Masters at the famed Kingston Heath course in Melbourne.
“There’s a really nice gold jacket for the winner of the Australian Masters, and I also know that there’s a record of players having won the Australian Masters also being fitted with the green jacket they present each year in April,” said McDowell.
“So I’m looking forward to heading back to Australia, and to Melbourne, and to be competing on one of those great Sand Belt courses.”
The 2010 U.S. Open will then wind up his season competing in December’s Tiger Woods hosted event at Sherwood Hills in L. A., and the event McDowell snatched from Woods in 2010.
