Graeme McDowell’s thankful he’s avoided a WGC – Bridgestone Invitational ‘deathmarch’ this week and also not left chewing on his shoe laces over the weekend.
McDowell left the Firestone scorer’s hut having posted a three under par 67 to move to three under in the $US 8.5m event being played in very hot conditions in Akron, Ohio.
Graeme McDowell bending over and pleased he doesn't have 'to chew his shoelaces'. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
And while delighted with his effort he was specifically asked by www.golfbytourmiss.com if there was a difference in how you approach this week knowing it is a tournament with no halfway cut.
“I’m sure there will be guys who would like to be missing the cut right this second, I’m sure the guys right on the bottom of this leaderboard,” said McDowell to www.golfbytourmiss.com
“It’s a death march out there this weekend for guys because of this field, the money and the World Ranking points are very, very top heavy.
“We always kind of talk about having to play aggressively here because the difference between finishing 30th and 50th here this week is minimal in the big picture.
“I mean, listen, I know it’s $20,000, $30,000, whatever, and that’s great money, but I’m talking about the big picture, World Ranking points, Money Lists and get ready for next week.
“You want to get yourself established on this leaderboard so you have something to fight for this weekend as opposed to chewing your shoelaces all weekend.”
McDowell’s round was a combination of five birdies, including two of his closing four holes. and two bogeys at his second and 14th holes.
“My round today was a bit of a reverse compared to Thursday in that I got off to great start and didn’t finish the deal but today I got off to a slower start and finished strong,” he said.
“I am still trying to bed-in a few swing thoughts, and I’m still a bit wishy-washy in that I have five different ways of doing the same thing and I just need to pick one and stay with it.
“I was that way a little bit at the Open Championship, so I am just getting my thoughts together.”
