Palm Harbor, FL …
Graeme McDowell holed a brilliant 30-foot par from off the green at the final hole of the three-hole famed ‘Snake Pit’ before then covering his head with both arms in embarrassment to make the cut in the Valspar Championship in Florida.
After a shock first round 75 that included three double bogeys, McDowell dug deep on day two birding his three opening holes ahead of three-putting for bogey the par three 17th on the Copperhead course.
‘G Mac’ then needed a par at worst at the uphill par four 18th to be assured of playing all four rounds but that looked doubtful when he sent his second at the last some 56-feet left of the hole but only to see his birdie putt roll off the green and nearly 30-feet shy of the cup.
Graeme McDowell about to hole this 30-foot putt from off the green to make the cut in the 2017 Valspar Championship.
McDowell studied the putt from all angles, including getting out his yardage book in trying to pick the break, before clearly also his delighting waiting and very anxious manager in holing the putt in a score of 67 for an even par total.
“That was a great comeback and just great to get myself back into the tournament as I walked off the course Thursday totally despondent knowing I have played some good golf,” said McDowell.
“I just had three uncharacteristic double bogeys and paid maximum price three times but after a birding the 17th yesterday it gave me some incentive to fight back today.
“So when I birdied the first today I thought this might get my chances off rolling and to birdie the first three was great but then to hole that putt at the last well you saw my reaction.”
Graeme McDowell and Hunter Mahan heading to the scorer’s hut on day two of the 2017 Valspar Championship
