Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry are doing their best to keep the Irish flag near the top of the mast at the Scottish Open at Gullane.
For a second day running both McDowell and Lowry posted four under par 66s to move to enjoy a seven-way share of second place at eight under par and three adrift of little-known Londoner Daniel Brooks who added a 65 to move to 11-under par.
Graeme McDowell begins to refill his cup after ending run of three missed cuts at Scottish Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
McDowell ended a run of three missed cuts, two in the States and last week’s double defence of his French Open title, with a second round capped by three birdies over his closing five holes.
“It’s just great to back on a leader board as it’s been a grind this year, so it’s nice to see some results from some quality shots with a slightly quieter mind,” he said.
“The thing I once had a cup filled with confidence and belief but there’s been a lot of spillage from that cup and weeks like last week don’t put a lot of belief back into that cup.
“However for these two days here at Gullane I have started to refill that cup and I am starting to see good things happen.
“And while my mind is solely focused now on the weekend it gives me good feelings of a cup lying in wait next week across the Forth at St. Andrews.
“But then it’s really not about next week and more about the bigger picture of starting to compete again and not missing cuts, and now that I’ve got a sniff I am looking forward to the weekend.”
Lowry’s only dropped one shot over his two rounds and that was at the 15th but the Carton House pro continues to impress 53 weeks after sharing ninth place behind McIlroy last year at Royal Liverpool.
“A pair of 66s is very nice and while I could have scored a lot better I am very happy as I am in a really good position heading to the weekend,” he said.
“But I am now at that stage of my career I feel I can compete in any tournament whether it be a normal tournament of a Major, and besides I just want to play well no matter where I am.
“There has been a lot of talk involving me of late about the fact I can win a Major but I’ve still got a lot to achieve before I win a Major.
“But then if one does get in the way between now and then (smiling) I’ll take it happily.”
