Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell got the final round start he wanted but it was not good enough for a first WGC victory after doubling the last hole to settle for a distant share of third place behind Tiger Woods.

McDowell confessed he did not putt ‘with authority’ in signing for a final round 72 for a 14-under par tally on Trump Doral.

The 2010 US Open champion went into the last day four shots behind Woods knowing that the 14-time Major winner has never lost a tournament when leading by three shots or more.

Graeme McDowell doubles the last to finish in a fourway tie for third. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golfilie.ie)

McDowell quickly put pressure on Woods when he birdied the opening two holes but the fire then went out on the Ulsteman’s challenge when he played the next 10 holes in two over par with bogeys at the 5th and 11th holes.

McDowell turned things around with birdies at 13 and 17 ahead of taking a ‘6’ at the last.

It meant dropping from third place on his own and back into a fourway tie with Australia’s Adam Scott (64), Spain’s Sergio Garcia (69) and American Phil Mickelson (71).

“Tee to green this week I did everything I had to, generally,” said McDowell.

“But I started to putt a little tentative as these greens got firmer, faster and crustier.  I felt like my pace, my whole speed got slower and slower.

“I just was not putting with the same authority as I was on Friday and I think that led to a little bit of frustration mid-way through the back nine yesterday.

“But then the way Tiger was playing, I guess I was always in chase mode and I started to feel like that I had to hole putts too much, and trying to make it happen and instead of trying to let it flow.

“And the last time I felt I had a shot of catching Tiger was yesterday but he controlled his iron play phenomenally well this week and his short game was immaculate.

“He really putted well, and he was always going to be a tough guy to catch, and from my 10th hole to 14th yesterday was reaully the turning point for me and he was really kind of hard to reach after that.

“I did put pressure on him early doors today with a couple of birdies out of the gate but he made a couple, as well.

“So fair play to him as he played fantastic golf the last couple of days, and he’s a great champion.”

McDowell will have this coming week off before returning to competition for the March 21st commencing Arnold Palmer Invitational.