Graeme McDowell battled a mystery bug to play his way into the final two rounds of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
McDowell complained of weariness and muscle soreness for the past few days after signing for a second round 74 for a two over par tally in the event.
Graeme McDowell shoots a two over par tally to make the cut in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss,com)
England’s Justin Rose (70) and American Bill Haas (66) share the lead on nine under par and one clear of another American in John Huh (69).
World No. 2 Tiger Woods bogeyed his closing three holes in a score of 70 to be among a group at five under par.
McDowell commenced his round at level par and moved into the red when he holed a 30-footer for birdie at the fourth.
However the World No. 15 then dropped three shots in three holes when he doubled the sixth after finding a greenside bunker with his third but then three-putted from 20-feet including missing a 12-inch putt for bogey.
McDowell then dropped a shot at the eighth after finding rough off the tee before paring his remaining 10 holes.
“It wasn’t a lot of fun to watch but it just hasn’t been my best ball-striking performance the last two days,” he said.
“I also feel a little under the weather and not my best physically. I picked up something last weekend and woke up Saturday morning not feeling that well.
“I’m not using that as an excuse but I do feel achy and flu-like but the main thing is we are here for the weekend, and if I can finish five or six under par it will make for a great cheque.”
McDowell will again represent Lake Nona in Monday and Tuesday’s made-for-TV Tavistock Cup but will skip the next two events in Texas before heading to Augusta for a sixth Masters appearance and a year after securing a best finish of T12th.
Woods was storming his way to the front when he found a fairway bunker at the 16th but after putting his next into stream guarding the green the World No. 2 showed his frustration by lashing out at the sand.
But Woods, who is looking also to end an 871-day absence as World No. 1, then played a wild tee shot missing the green left at 17 for a second straight bogey ahead of dropping a further shot at his last.
Woods will need to win ‘Arnie’s Event’ for an eighth occasion to end an 871-week absence as World No. 1
