G-Mac flying after Bjorn’s mind games
WHEN Ryder Cup skipper Thomas Bjorn named Graeme McDowell as one of his assistant captains ten days ago, it seemed an awfully premature appointment for a Northern Irishman who began the season with high hopes of making the team.
But maybe the Dane (below) was indulging in some clever mind games. As McDowell said at the time: ‘I’m looking forward to a summer of golf where hopefully the thought of France in September is now not going to weigh on my shoulders. This might free me up a bit.’
There was certainly evidence of that over the first two rounds of the Italian Open as the 38-year-old posted a second successive 66 to be one off the lead held at halfway by another former US Open champion and Ryder Cup hero who has fallen on hard times — German Martin Kaymer, who shot a wonderful 63. With 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett playing another bogey-free round — the first time in 83 events stretching back to 2014 he has played 36 holes without a blemish — this was a day when three major winners breathed life into their stuttering careers. It will certainly be interesting to see if they can keep it going. With regard to G-Mac, what a bonus it would be if he could do an Ian Poulter and get back to his best, for he is a two-time winner at the Ryder Cup venue. ‘I didn’t play great from the tee, which is usually a strength of my game, but if I can find a bit of improvement I can be in contention this weekend,’ he said. Alongside Willett and McDowell in joint second place are three more players with designs on being in Paris in the autumn. As members of the last team, Thomas Pieters and Rafa Cabrera-Bello are hellbent on making amends for what happened at Hazeltine — and then there’s the phenomenal Frankie Molinari.
Imagine going from winning Europe’s flagship title at Wentworth to tournament host this week? Yet the 35-year-old has been so in control of his game and emotions that he has now played an incredible four consecutive rounds without a bogey — and 107 holes featuring just a single dropped shot. ‘I’m trying not to think about it, because we all know what will happen if I do!’ said the London-based Italian.
Among many within striking distance at four shots off the lead are Tommy Fleetwood and Poulter, who shot 67 and 68 respectively.
Meanwhile, at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, Rory McIlroy squandered a fine start with two bogeys on par fives on his back nine for a humdrum 70 that left him on the projected halfway cut mark of level par.
McIlroy finished well behind his playing partners, world No 2 Dustin Johnson (66) on six under and Australian Jason Day (68) on eight under.
Tiger Woods and Justin Rose were among the later starters.