Graeme McDowell birdied three of his four closing holes in a score of 67 to get back towards the pointed end heading to the final day of the Talisker (Australian) Masters in Melbourne.
It is McDowell’s first appearance ‘Down Under’ in seven years since he was last in the 1956 Olympic Games host city and he’s now looking to make the most of it before heading to Dubai for the European Tour season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
“They’ve put their trust in me to come down here this week,” said McDowell.
There’s no mistaking what Australian city Graeme McDowell finds himself on the third day of the Talisker Masters. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“I was panicking a little bit down the stretch yesterday. I felt so out of sorts within myself. I knew I had to try to make the weekend.
“I was early to bed last night because pride kicks in. I wanted to go out there this morning and do my job.”
However McDowell will commence the last day a dozen shots behind victorious Ryder Cup team mate and defending champion, Ian Poulter who surged to the front with an eight-under-par 64 and take a one-stroke lead over Adam Scott.
Poulter went within a shot of the Kingston Heath course record with five front-nine birdies before a tap-in birdie to finish.
“I just hit it, let it ride up the crest and feed down,” said Poulter of his 9-iron approach second shot.
“It turned out to be a decent shot. When you go out with a reasonable breeze and you produce a score like that, you have to be happy.”
Scott posted a 67 to move to second place on five under par and just one behind Poulter.
However the Australian, who is looking to continue an unbroken run of having won at least one tournament a year since turning pro, spoilt his day with bogeys at 16 and 17.
However a 15-foot birdie putt on 18 pulled him back to within one shot of Poulter and a final-round pairing with the Englishman.
“In the end, I really needed it,” Scott said of his birdie on the last.
“With being just one shot behind, it can all change pretty quickly out there. He (Poulter) got off to such a great start, I was happy to be able to stay close.”
