McDowell happy at halfway

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Graeme McDowell is ready to mount a weekend challenge at the Hong Kong Open after a 65 left him three back at halfway.

Graeme McDowell is confident he is well placed to mount a successful challenge for the UBS Hong Kong Open title after the US Open champion shot a five-under 65 to sit three shots behind leader Ian Poulter at the halfway stage of the tournament.
The Northern Irishman is looking to perform well at the Hong Kong Golf Club and eat into Martin Kaymer’s lead in the Race to Dubai, with the German just over £320,000 ahead on the European Tour money list.
Europe’s number one will be decided at the Dubai World Championship next week but a win for McDowell in Hong Kong will no doubt be a psychological boost to the Ryder Cup star.
McDowell’s 65 was his second in succession but with scoring having been particularly low at the Fanling course so far, he believes he is capable of playing even better this weekend.
“I played great today again,” he said.
“The great thing about this golf course is the front nine is a bit tricky and the back nine offers you chances.
“You have to control it on the front nine and have to work out how to play the ninth hole, but apart from that, I know I can pretty much birdie every hole on this golf course and the swing is very much under control.”
McDowell has only dropped two shots over the course of the first two rounds but with the likes of Poulter and Rory McIlroy having already shot low scores, the 31-year-old knows he needs to find more birdies this weekend.
“It’s tough not to get frustrated on this golf course because you feel like you should birdie every hole,” he added.
“You have got to make yourself stay patient.
It’s only Friday, and I had to keep myself under control out there.
“But I was happy to hang tough and make a few birdies coming in. I’m in a great position going into the weekend.”
McDowell is in a share of fifth place on 10-under 130 for the tournament.

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