Graeme McDowell went to sleep last night facing a 40-foot last hole birdie putt early this morning (FRD) in the storm-interrupted French Open in Versailles
McDowell’s quest to join the exclusive club of ‘Triple Winning Tour Champions’ looked shaky early on when he was two over par after nine holes on the Le National course where he has reigned supreme the past two years.
There had been a two-and-a-half storm warning delay just prior to 9am local time that meant McDowell, who teed off in the second half of the draw, commencing his round mid-afternoon before a second storm warning at 9pm local time that forced officials to call a halt to play for the day.
McDowell was one over par at the time having birdied the 15th and 17th holes and was standing over his birdie putt on 18 when the warning siren sounded.
Graeme McDowell (NIR) draws in a packed crowd to see him defend his double Champion title during Round One of the 2015 Alstom Open de France, played at Le Golf National, Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, Paris, France. /02/07/2015/. Picture: Golffile | David Lloyd
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | David Lloyd)
He trails five shots behind Germany’s Max Kieffer who had moved to four under par with still four hole to play.
“I hung in well today even though I made the turn at two over par as I hit a lot of good shots,” said McDowell.
“But I just didn’t clean-up well on the greens but being out early in the morning they should be perfect.
“So that was just good ‘hang’ today and I am really happy.”
Only five players have won the same event three times in a row including Tiger Woods who’s actually achieved the feat three times in European Tour counting events.
Graeme McDowell (NIR) plays from the 13th tee during Round One of the 2015 Alstom Open de France, played at Le Golf National, Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, Paris, France. /02/07/2015/. Picture: Golffile | David Lloyd
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | David Lloyd)
Fellow Ulsterman Michael Hoey let slip ending under par when he moved to two under par through nine holes but then doubled the 15th and bogeyed 16 in a one ove r
The European Ryder Cup captain duo of Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke failed to muster one birdie between them in recording four over par 75s.
Clarke had spent three days in the very hot conditions working on his game while McGinley has played just nine holes, and that was last week with his son, since missing the cut in the Irish Open.
“Not having played that much clearly showed today,” he said.
“This golf course is also a lot harder and longer for me since they moved the tee boxes back and since those changes I’ve struggled.”
And while McGinley is uncertain if he will contest next week’s Scottish Open he will be present at the following week’s Open Championship albeit overnight on the Tuesday.
McGinley is being honoured by the Association of Golf Writers (AGW) for his dealings with the golfing media, and with the AGWs top award to be presented to World No. 1 Rory McIlroy once he has attended the R & A hosted ‘Former Champions’ Dinner.
“It’s a great award and very unexpected but then I have always enjoyed working with the golf media and with many of them now long-time friends,” he added.
