Graeme McDowell is now in real doubt for the Masters after ruling out contesting next week’s Shell Houston Open.
McDowell indicated he would add the Houston event to his schedule as much needed Masters practice after withdrawing through injury after nine holes of this week’s Valero Texas Open.
But in returning to his Orlando residence on Thursday advice from his doctor is that McDowell would be better resting his injured left ankle after tearing tendons while on the TPC San Antonio practice range on Wednesday, and ahead of teeing off in the Pro-Am.
And it’s come to light McDowell actually had to be attended to by a local doctor on the 10th hole of the course during Wednesday’s Pro Am who rendered an injection into the ankle of the former US Open champion.
McDowell’s appearance in next fortnight’s Masters and along with that of Augusta National rookie Shane Lowry is set to provide an historic first for Ireland golf with five players taking the course affectionately known as ‘The Cathedral in the Pines’.
Graeme McDowell back at home in Lake Nona with his injured left ankle. (Photo – Graeme McDowell)
However there is no injury concerns for Lowry who holed a testing six-footer for par at his last hole in a second straight 74 for a then share of 48th place at four over par and two shots inside the projected cut-off mark in the $US 6.2m event.
“I was thinking I needed that putt to make the cut but I’m fine and it’s great now I’ve got two more rounds to play taking into account the bigger picture,” he said.
“The last thing I wanted to be doing was having two days off in this my last event before the Masters.
“As well, the greens are starting to dry out and speed up and that’s what I need to test me over the weekend.
“I drove the ball well today and that’s the strong part of my game at present but then the only concern is that I am kind of getting in my own way a little bit by trying too hard and trying to force things.
“But in saying that it’s a tough golf course and if I can just get that area between my ears sorted out, I should okay.”
American Jimmy Walker enjoyed the clubhouse lead birding three of his closing four holes in a round of 67 to move to six under par.
Walker captured the Sony Open in Hawaii earlier this year while fellow Texan Jordan Spieth (69) is well-placed sharing fourth place at four under par.
And Phil Mickelson, despite losing his voice, was in a group at two under par with scores of 70 and 72.
