McDowell happy with opening round
Graeme McDowell was happy after a return to form during the first round of WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron on Thursday.
The Northern Irishman shot an opening 66 with American Jim Furyk, to be one shot behind New Zealand’s Danny Lee.
Former U.S. Open champion, McDowell, has struggled with form only managing one top-10 finish all year.
In a chat with Sky Sports 4, McDowell said he was happy with the return to form and hoped that he can keep up the momentum.
“When you are playing against some of the best fields in the world and you can post two or three rounds in the 60s and feel you are back competing at the top level, the confidence should come back to me quickly,” McDowell told Sky Sports 4.
“One 66 is not going to do it, I’m going to need a few. I know what to do when I do get on the leader boards and it’s just a case of continuing to do what I am doing.
“I am just excited to post a good early round and get out tomorrow and get back at it,” he added.
Justin Rose, who is sitting on 67 with Rickie Fowler, said that he was very happy with his opening found and felt like he could have birdied all the holes.
“I saw the course was not yielding low scores and then I got out of the gates and felt like I could birdie every hole, but all in all I think 67 is a great start on this course and gets me into the tournament nicely,” Rose said.
Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth, who will replace McIlroy as world number one if he wins the event, finished on level par alongside Open champion Zach Johnson.
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