Graeme McDowell’s Ryder Cup push continues with the Irishman heading for his best-ever WGC – Bridgestone Invitational finish.
Despite dropping a shot at his last hole, McDowell’s four-under par third round 66 sent him into a share of 19th place on three under par and just prior to a three hour and 27 minute storm delay in the $US 9m event.
McDowell is making his ninth appearance in the Bridgestone but with his best finish being a share of 22nd in 2010 behind Hunter Mahan, who McDowell some weeks later would humble in holing the winning putt to deliver Europe victory in the Ryder Cup.
Graeme McDowell headed for his best-ever finish in the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
But a third round that also included six bogeys, including three in succession from his seventh hole, McDowell is looking forward heading to next week’s PGA Championship with a golf bag full of Ryder Cup points.
“Four under par around this golf course is way below my scoring average at Firestone, let’s just say that,” said McDowell.
“So I am pretty pleased with that. I made a couple of bad swings coming in, and it was a tough finish as finishing on the front nine is tough. From that 6th tee, there’s a bit of length. So disappointed to drop a couple coming in, but generally gets me in some decent shape to have something to fire for tomorrow.”
And after capturing a second straight French Open title and finishing ninth in last week’s RBC Canadian Open, McDowell agreed the momentum he was looking for heading into possible automatic Gleneagles selection is right at the forefront of his game.
“For sure as I am building on some good play the last couple of months,” he said.
“The game has slowly improved over the last couple of months. I’m at that point now where I’m starting to believe that I can hit the shots to win any given week if I put it all together.
“I’m in a good place mentally and physically so I am looking forward to the PGA Championship next week, and beyond really. I’ve paced myself well this year, and thankfully it’s paying off.
“And hopefully Captain McGinley is watching and feels I can be an instrumental part of the Ryder Cup team.”
