Graeme McDowell is determined to make the most of this week’s ‘no halfway’ WGC – Bridgestone Invitational format ahead of next week’s PGA Championship at Oak H
McDowell’s season has been capped by three victories, and along with recent British Open champion, Phil Mickelson, they are the only two players to win this year both sides of the Atlantic.
However unlike Mickelson, McDowell has then somewhat spoilt his winning ways by sitting out the weekend rounds in two of the very next tournaments while he also missed the third round cut in last week’s RBC Canadian Open a week after playing all four rounds at Muirfield.
The current World No. 8 posted two birdies in his one over par 71 but also a bogey and a 10th hole double bogey when he found a fairway bunker that came to rest under the lip and forcing the former US Open winner to use the highest lofted club in his bag, a 58-degree wedge.
Eoin Clarke’s (www.golffile.ie) great shot of Graeme McDowell teeing off the 17th on route to a round of 71.
McDowell’s effort continues a Firestone trend in that he’s only once in seven appearances in suburban Akron failed to break par on day one of the $US 8.75m event.
“It wasn’t a very pretty lie but I managed to hack it out, and apart from that I battled with my swing a little bit,” said McDowell.
“But I am certainly using this week, and these four guaranteed rounds, to bed some feel in and start seeing what I want to the ball to do and be doing in readiness for Oakhill next week.
“I’ve always generally struggled on this Firestone course but like I said I am open-minded this week and using the week to try and get my golf swing back on track.
“It’s been a tough few weeks and I have to keep reminding myself I have only played competitively once since winning in France.
“So my patience level is wearing thin and it’s getting at that time of the year when everyone’s patience is down there (pointing towards the ground) at present, so I am really trying hard to stay patient with myself.
“It’s been a really successful season but I am very keen to now have a very strong next four to five weeks heading into the FedEx Cup Play-Off Series.
“So, I’m wanting it all at the moment.”
Shane Lowry got his round off to a great start holing a 20-foot birdie at the first and then a nine foot birdie at the fourth.
However he gave both shots back at eight and nine before birdies at 13 before dropping further shots at 14, 16 and 17 in a round of a 72, and then met after his round by coach, Neil Manchin.
“I got it going early but just didn’t play great all day and really battled for much of my round,” said Lowry.
“It was very disappointing to bogey 16 and 17 as I had a bad number on 16 that just flew the green by a yard whereas at 17 I just had a poor tee shot that was right off the fairway and hit a tree, and with the ball coming back 50 yards and further right.
“So to finish three over for my last five holes is very annoying and really leaves a sour taste in my mouth.”
Former US Open champion, Webb Simpson heads the field by a shot with a six under par 64 and one clear of Sweden’s Henrik Stenson who was runner-up in last fortnight’s British Open.
