Grounded GMac has Open chance
FLORIDA was put on hold for Graeme McDowell as he kept alive his hopes of an Open spot.
He had to cancel a flight back to his American home yesterday after scraping in for the last 36 holes and he reminded himself of how to play in the wind and rain.
The Northern Irishman fired an adventurous four-under 68, which included eight birdies.
He has a proud record of playing in the last 13 Opens, but he doesn’t yet have a place at Royal Birkdale after tumbling down the world rankings.
He needs to shoot another good score today to have any chance of claiming one of the three Open spots available for a place in the top 10.
“I lost a ball at the third and it was lashing down. I was thinking it was going to be a long day,” he said.
“But the putter was sizzling. I pretty much made everything I looked at, which you have to do on a day like this.
“These conditions were the only chance I had to make some sort of a move. Love it or hate it, this is what we needed.
“I struggle a bit in the wet but it’s nice to see there’s still a bit of Irish in me, thank God!”
It may be a surprise to learn that the Ryder Cup stalwart isn’t yet in The Open, but he has fallen outside the world’s top 100 and is without a top-10 finish all year.
And he had almost resigned himself to having an unexpected week off.
“Going into Friday, a place at The Open wasn’t even on the radar,” he admitted.
“I told my wife I was looking forward to getting back to see her and the kids. I even had a flight booked home for this morning.
“But then I went and played well yesterday. I lowered my expectations this week and sometimes that can make you more dangerous.
“At least I’ve given myself a squeak as I’d love to be at Birkdale.
“My place at the PGA Championship next month is also in jeopardy so my last two rounds have been huge.”