Mcdowell opens up 3-shot lead at Oaks

Tiger behind by 4

THOUSAND OAKS, California, Dec 1, (AP): Graeme McDowell has done a lot right this year without winning but he has one last chance to fix that after taking a three-shot lead going into the weekend at the World Challenge.

Back on the course that has provided two key moments in his career, McDowell opened with three straight birdies in the second round Friday and finished strongly for a 6under 66.

“A good day’s work,” said McDowell, whose day was not over until he was escorted away for a drug test.

Bo Van Pelt got up-and-down from the drop zone for bogey on the final hole that gave him a 68, leaving him tied for second with Keegan Bradley and Jim Furyk, who each had a 69. Tournament host and defending champion Tiger Woods was tied for the lead on the back nine until he stalled and settled for a 69. He was four shots behind.

This is the final destination of a whirlwind trip for McDowell, who spent two weeks in China, a short holiday in Dubai, a tournament in Australia, back to Dubai and then across eight time zones to California.

It’s also been somewhat of a whirlwind year, filled with opportunity, but no trophies.

He played in the final group in back-to-back majors, the US Open and British Open, without winning. He was on the winning Ryder Jason Day of Australia hits his tee shot on the sixth hole during the second round of the Tiger Woods World Challenge presented by Northwestern Mutual at Sherwood Country

Club on Nov 30, in Thousand Oaks, California. (AFP)