Graeme McDowell pleased with finish to bogey-free 69 at Kingsbarns
Friday 2 October 2015 17:36, UK
Graeme McDowell was relieved to make a strong finish to his round and stay in contention after the second the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The Ryder Cup star made a slow start to his second round at Kingsbarns with 11 consecutive pars, but produced a late rally to card a bogey-free 69 and get within four at the top of the leaderboard.
Beginning on the back nine, McDowell picked up gains at the third and sixth before finishing with a birdie at the par-five ninth, although admitted it was difficult to stay calm after failing to make inroads earlier in the round.
"I didn't play as well today," McDowell told Sky Sports 4. "The first nine was tricky and it was hard to get the ball close to the flag.
"I couldn't really get it going and then frustration started to set in. In benign conditions you're not going to get these courses any easier, so you have to do your best to try and stay as patient as you possibly can.
"I hung in there, hit some nice shots on my second nine and made a couple of putts coming in, so I'm happy enough.
"This would be a really nice weekend to compete and would be a really good step in the right direction."
'Not a clue'
Bradley Dredge was left surprised by his round-of-the-day 63 that moved the Welshman back in the mix heading in to the weekend.
The two-time European Tour winner struggled to a one-over 73 during the opening day at Carnoustie, but flew up the leaderboard with a bogey-free round on St Andrews' Old Course.
Having picked up the first of his five birdies at the par-four first, Dredge, who is currently 97th in the Race to Dubai rankings, also eagled the par-five third and 12th to move within three of midway pacesetters Jimmy Mullen and Anthony Wall.
"I've been playing golf a long time and haven't got a clue anymore," Dredge told Sky Sports 4. "I got off to a bit of a slow start yesterday and started playing nicely, but just kept parring holes and not really doing anything.
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"I came out today and was three under after three, hitting some good shots to get off to a good start and then just kept going from there. When I did get in trouble on two occasions I picked up a couple of good par saves.
"Pin positions here are relatively easy compared to a normal European Tour event, so you really have to shoot at the flags and hopefully play well.
"You're always focusing on the Race to Dubai, but I thought it was always going to be a good effort to keep my card. I've been trying to focus on getting in to Turkey, so I'm trying to think more about that then thinking about the card."
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